Burak Besir

The story behind the sound

Burak Besir is an award-winning flutist, ethnic woodwind instrumentalist, composer and recording artist, originally from Lefkosa, Cyprus, and currently based in Los Angeles. He began his classical music education at the Ankara State Conservatory in Turkey and later earned a master’s degree in Concert Performance from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Scotland. In 2003, Besir was honoured with the UK Young Concert Artist Award and in 2008 he received the World Scholarship from Berklee College of Music, where he pursued a degree in Contemporary Writing and Production. With a career spanning classical to contemporary genres, and credits across film, television, animation and video games, Besir has contributed to over 500 projects worldwide. Highlights include performing with the Academy Orchestra at the 86th Oscars Concert and touring internationally with the Video Games Live Orchestra. He has collaborated with renowned composers such as John Williams, Alexandre Desplat, Thomas Newman and Steven Price. As a recording artist and composer, Besir’s work features prominently in high-profile soundtracks, including The Witcher, One Piece, The Angel, Das Boot, and Final Fantasy XV. His flute-piano album Passion received an Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2017 Global Music Awards.