Like the cranes (Turkish: Turnalar), the four musicians fly musically across countries, continents and borders. The stylistic spectrum is broad and ranges from traditional music from the Balkan region, traditional and modern music from Iran and Azerbaijan to Kletzmer and music from Israel, as well as original compositions. The repertoire is rearranged and reinterpreted according to the special instrumentation and the different musical backgrounds.

The Turnalar Quartett develops its concert formats with the aim of conveying a message in favour of diversity, democracy and social aspects of music and enabling a shared musical experience at eye and ear level with the audience.

The diverse repertoire is suitable for a wide variety of occasions such as traditional concert formats, intercultural festivals, transcultural family concerts, memorial services, demonstrations in favour of diversity and much more.

In 2023, the programme Kranichgeschichten – Musik, die fliegen kann was developed, which is performed as a transcultural family concert and as an evening programme for adults.

An extensive concert series with guest musicians and moderation on the topic of ‘Music in Exile’ is planned for 2025. The focus will be on various thematic focal points, starting with music from Iran.

Members of the Turnalar Quartett

Anka Hirsch Violoncello/Accordion/Rebab/Vocals/Composition
Salim Salari Tar
Julia Kitzinger Clarinet
Reza Rostami Tombak/Daf/Cajon/Vocals

Anka Hirsch studied cello, composition, jazz and music education in Berlin. As a musician and composer, she dedicates herself to the fields of jazz, improvisation, global music and theatre music – in solo projects as well as in various bands. Anka Hirsch studied Arabic and North Indian music at the Oriental Music Academy in Mannheim and percussion at the Frame Drum Academy in Freiburg. She has been active with Bridges – Musik verbindet since 2018.

Salim Salari has been playing the Azerbaijani long-necked lute Tar since the age of thirteen and was a member of various ensembles and orchestras in Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan in Iran, including the Radio Chamber Orchestra. He has lived in Germany since 2016 and plays in the Bridges Kammerorchester, for which he also composes, as well as in the Bridges ensembles Turnalar Quartett and Meyjana Trio. Salim Salari also completed a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering.

Julia Kitzinger studied in Frankfurt and has been working as a music and chemistry teacher at the Altkönigschule Kronberg since 2020. In the classical field, she has been active as a chamber musician in various formations as well as in various symphonic orchestras. She has also trained in jazz, klezmer and tango through masterclasses, lessons and workshops. In 2016, together with Isabella Spona, she founded Bridges – Musik verbindet and in 2021, together with Malte Bechthold and Hennes Peters, the project Let’s make music.

Reza Rostami is a multi-percussionist. Since Bridges – Musik verbindet was founded, he has performed in numerous ensemble and orchestral concerts in the Rhine-Main region and throughout Germany, including at a ceremony organised by the German government in Berlin. Reza Rostami is an expert in traditional Iranian and Kurdish music. He has extensive expertise in a wide range of musical styles and is constantly expanding his repertoire and instruments.