The Malta Independent on Sunday
Unexpected delights from Turkey
Hibernation is almost over for me, until next summer, if I am still alive then, naturally. This hot and humid climate fit for elephants and crocodiles is slowly retreating and we can breathe once again with some comfort until it makes a comeback. What a relief. So tired of air-conditioners.
I lost six plants this summer. I lost them because in my anxiety to keep them alive I over-watered them and they didn’t like it. My recently-purchased jasmin which was flowering nicely gave up the ghost. From too much water I suspect. I am now very careful about how much I give them. I don’t want to lose anymore.
So with the weather being kinder I am now enjoying more events. Last week it was the Turkish pianist Hande Dalkiliç who played at San Anton Palace. Turkey has spoilt us when it comes to musicians. We have had at least four pianists of high calibre and other musicians too over the last few years.
*** Ambassador Başak Türkoğlu was present at the concert. She graduated with a B.Sc. in International Relations from the Middle East Technical University and with a M.A degree in European Political Cooperation. Her Excellency joined Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1990 as Attaché in the Department of Human Resources (1990 – 1991) and the Department of Defence Agreements (1991 – 1992). Other diplomatic appointments followed in Belgium and Beijing and the Council of Europe as well as at home. In November 2014 she presented her credentials in Kuala Lumpur as Ambassador and so to Malta.
The pianist, Hande Dalkiliç too is extremely well qualified. She is constantly on the move giving concerts at home and abroad, recitals on radio and televison and is at present Professor at the Hacettepe Ankara State Conservatory.
Into the cosy bosom of the Sala Agatha Barbara, San Anton Palace last week there was an instant hush as she walked in and after a momentary pause she began by telling us that she would be saying a few words before playing each piece of music. By doing this she immediately created a rapport with her audience.
Enthusiasm is a precious commodity and Ms Dalkihç had plenty of it. She also has energy which she sustained throughout the concert. *** The recital started with three Sonatas by Domenico Scarletti son of the prolific Alessandro who had inexhaustible creativity. The family, like Vincenzo Bellini’s were of Sicilian origin. Domenico Scarlatti composed some 555 Keyboard Sonatas with brilliant and often extreme experiments. The pianist was lively and technically assured and conveyed her enjoyment of the music.
Then came Chopin. I sat up straight in my chair as I did not want to miss a note. The pianist played two Mazurkas and the famous and popular Polonaise in A flat Major Op.53. Ms Dalkihç almost let the music run away with her in her spontaneous fervour. The performance was undoubtedly thrilling and she gave us a wide range of colour. Had Chopin composed nothing but this Polonaise he would still have remained in the hearts of many generations. I have Idil Birit’s CD of this – another gifted Turkish pianist. Although it isn’t heart-on-your sleeve stuff, like the Nocturnes for example, it is a fine example of the composer’s emotional and musical maturity. But I said to myself that Chopin’s music would probably have caused Wagner to become apoplectic. Wagner’s determined unsentimentality being so striking a feature of his work, so unlike Chopin.
*** A Turkish composer was in the programme - Çetin Isiközlu, a renowned contemporary composer of opera and ballet music. He is also a distinguished pianist, conductor and teacher of composition. I enjoyed The Tunes of Upper Euphrates, an utterly distinctive piece that grabbed you pretty much immediately. East meets West indeed.
It was time for Spanish music and Isaac Albeniz’s Suite Espagnole. This is light music of the best kind, colourful, tuneful – the sound bright and glittering. The music glows with the nuances of Spanish dancerhythms.
*** More Spanish music from Louis Moreau Gottschalk who was infact born in New Orleans. Not having heard of him before I learnt that he was an American composer and pianist, best known as a virtuoso performer of his own romantic piano works. He spent most of his working career outside of the United States. The pianist played Manchega and Souvenirs d’Andalousie with panache, glitter and bravura. Her felicity of touch and articulation brought much sparkle to both these pieces which were new to me and which the audience seemed to particularly enjoy.
It was the turn of the voice of Anatolia next through two composers Fazil Say and A. Adnan Saygun, They were unexpected delights to me at least and they gave the pianist more scope to shine.
*** At the reception which followed I was introduced to an Italian writer, Paolo Gambi whose novel La carezza del cavaliere is available from Amazon and is the first part of a trilogy. The author has written many books and this one will be translated into several languages including English. mbenoit@independent.com.mt