Emre Sihan Kaleli

Composer

About

“My tales, like those of the Thousand and One Nights, are intended not to persuade readers, but to entertain and touch them.”
Jorge Luis Borges, foreword to Brodie’s Report

Emre Sihan Kaleli is an Austrian composer of Turkish origin whose work spans genres from chamber music and music theatre to multimedia. His compositions are dynamic and expressive, crafted to captivate audiences through rich narrative structures and an immersive musical flow. His works have been performed by leading ensembles such as Cantando Admont, PHACE, ensemble XXI. jahrhundert, Klangforum Wien, Nieuw Ensemble, Riot Ensemble, and The Black Page Orchestra, among others.

Kaleli has received numerous awards, including the Promotion Prize of the City of Vienna in the Field of Music (Förderungspreis der Stadt Wien in der Sparte Musik 2022), the impuls Composition Competition (2019), and the Gargonza Arts Award (2015). He lives and works in his adopted home of Vienna.

Dates

  • 29 January 2026: Tongue and Trace, between feathers, Echoraum Vienna
  • 9 December 2025: Through the Interface, Strings&Noise, Sonemus Festival Sarajevo
  • 18 November 2025: Adjacent rooms, a part of a labyrinth (extended version 2025, co-commissioned by PHACE and Wien Modern, with support by SKE-Fonds), PHACE & Clement Power, Wien Modern
  • 2 November 2025: Through the Interface for Violin, Violoncello and electronics, Strings&Noise (Sophia Goidinger-Koch & Barbara Riccabona), Wien Modern

PAST

  • 25 September 2025: Through the Interface (premiere) for Violin, Violoncello and electronics, Strings&Noise (Sophia Goidinger-Koch & Barbara Riccabona), Klangspuren Schwaz
  • 1 September 2025: Imaginary Devices II for accordion and tape, Maria Mogas Gensana, Porgy & Bess Vienna
  • 30 August 2025: New Piece for Soprano and Doublebass flute, Cantando Admont (Elina Viluma-Helling & Alessandro Baticci), Bruseum Graz
  • 28 August 2025: New Piece for Soprano and Doublebass flute, Cantando Admont (Elina Viluma-Helling & Alessandro Baticci), REAKTOR Vienna
  • 11 May 2025: A Labyrinth, A Ritual;  between feathers, Suena Festival Vienna
  • 11 May 2025: Ö1 broadcast (Supernova | Rainer Elstner) including ‘Herkunft’, Peter Burwik & ensemble XXI. jahrhundert, Wiener Konzerthaus
  • 11 April 2025: I am a Diptych, Ensemble S201, Essen ChorForum
  • 10 April 2025: I am a Diptych, Ensemble S201, Düsseldorf Erkrather Str. 365
  • 19 March 2025: HERKUNFT, ensemble XXI. jahrhundert | Peter Burwik, Wiener Konzerthaus
  • 13 March 2025: Dark Light, kollektiv unruhe | Beltrán Gonzalez, Rheinsberger Musikakademie

Upcoming & Past Projects

  • 2026: New music theater work in collaboration with Teresa Doblinger (Choreography), Philipp Lossau (Stage design), and Ensemble Studio DAN; New work for Duo Stump-Linshalm; New work for Platypus Ensemble
  • 2025: New and extended version of  ‘Adjacent rooms, a part of a labyrinth’ (extended version 2025, co-commissioned by PHACE and Wien Modern, with support by SKE-Fonds); New work for Strings&Noise; New work for Cantando Admont (Performers: Elina Viluma-Helling, Voice & Alessandro Baticci, Double bass flute)

*Many thanks to City of ViennaFederal Ministry Republic of Austria for Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport and SKE-Fonds for the financial support of my works in form of grants and scholarships

Listen

Watch

© Emre Sihan Kaleli