Turkish-born violinist Hande Küden successfully completed her probation period at the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, known as the Berliner Philharmoniker, and has become a permanent member.

“I dreamed of playing with the Berliner Philharmoniker when I was 13, and now my dream has come true,” Küden said on the orchestra’s website. “I am delighted to be able to perform together with great colleagues and be part of a fantastic violin section.”

“Bravo dear Hande! It’s an exceptional success. I wholeheartedly congratulate you!” acclaimed Turkish pianist and composer Fazıl Say said on Twitter.

Küden has been a member of the first violin section of the Berliner Philharmoniker since September 2019. She already had several years of experience as deputy concertmaster of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (DSO Berlin) before joining the Philharmoniker.

Küden said she learned perfectionism by playing for the Philharmoniker. “No matter how many concerts we perform in a row, each is equally important and must be played with the same passion,” she said.

She had studied at the State Conservatory of Çukurova University in her hometown in the southern Turkish province of Adana and continued her studies at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin. Küden later completed her training as an orchestral musician at the Ferenc Fricsay Academy of the DSO Berlin and the Karajan Academy of the Berliner Philharmoniker.

The Berliner Philharmoniker was founded in 1882 and is among the most distinguished orchestras in the world for its virtuosity and compelling sound.