The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra has appointed Bengi Canatan principal harp after she won the audition held in May. “I am thrilled to be joining the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra,” Canatan says. “Over the past year, I’ve been truly inspired by their artistic excellence and teamwork, which create a magical atmosphere and bring meaningful experiences to both musicians and audiences. The dedication, talent, and attention to detail of the musicians make the orchestra truly exceptional, and I feel a strong bond with the ensemble and its vision. I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute to its unique sound, and I especially look forward to sharing inspiring music with audiences in Finland and beyond.”
Born in Ankara, Turkey, Canatan pursues an active career as both an orchestral and chamber musician and a soloist on international stages. She won several orchestral auditions within a short time, serving as co-principal harp of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra during the 2018–2019 season, then as principal harp of the Royal Swedish Opera during the 2022 autumn season. In 2023, she also won the audition for the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and took part in its concerts.
Her solo and chamber music activities have included invitations to the International Cappadocia Music Festival, as well as an appearance in the “Young Talents” series of the 35th International Ankara Music Festival, where she performed as a soloist with the Kyiv Chamber Orchestra. In March 2022, she performed Reinhold Glière’s Harp Concerto with the Antalya State Symphony Orchestra.
Canatan holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where she studied with Päivi Severeide, Stefania Saglietti Couto, and Emmanuel Ceysson. During the 2024–2025 academic year, she returned to the Sibelius Academy as a member of the teaching faculty. Canatan began her musical education at the age of eight with the Orff method and three years later was admitted to Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory, where she studied in Müjgan Aydın’s harp class.
