Tempesta by Ayça Akın
“A powerful composition.”
Tempesta is a 7.5-minute orchestral work that unfolds from deep stillness into intense, storm-like climaxes. The piece is designed as a dramatic opener or contrast piece in contemporary and mixed programs.
Tempesta is written for full orchestral forces, with a particular focus on low winds (including contrabassoon), creating a deep atmospheric foundation. A slightly reduced instrumentation is available if needed.
With its world premiere in September 2025, Tempesta won the International Alliance for Women in Music’s Annual Concert Competition. It was performed in Cologne, Germany by Virago Symphonic Orchestra under the direction of conductor Pascale Van Os. The above video includes excerpts from this performance as well as electronic renderings of the piece.
To see full score, email:
ayca@ayca-akin.com
Instrumentation
3 Flutes (3rd doubling Piccolo)
2 Oboes
English horn
2 Clarinets in B♭
Bass Clarinet in B♭
2 Bassoons
Contrabassoon
4 Horns in F
3 Trumpets in C
3 Trombones
Tuba
Timpani
Bass drum
Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Violoncello
Contrabass
Ayça Akın creates music that prioritizes emotional journey. Her storytelling is visceral, immediate, and unapologetically expressive. Akın composes for film, dance, live ensembles, and orchestras. Her work has appeared in several films and has been performed in Cologne, Budapest, New York City, and Pittsburgh, where she resides.
Akın studied piano performance at Carnegie Mellon University’s Music Preparatory School. From 2022 to 2024, she completed her orchestral composition studies under composer and teacher Leon Willett. Recognized for her musicality and emotional depth, Akın was nominated for “Best Composer of the Future” at the Cannes World Film Festival for her original score to the award-winning film The Balloon (2025).
Also in 2025, Akın won the Annual Concert Competition for the International Alliance for Women in Music. The Virago Symphonic Orchestra premiered her piece Tempesta in Cologne in September. Other recent commissions include new music for Confluence Ballet Company’s Spring 2026 season. Akın holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Carnegie Mellon University. More about Ayça can be found at: