Popular pianist back with a surprise performance
GİRNE’S popular classical resident pianist, Gülseren Sadak, returns to the Bellapais Abbey stage with a surprise Monday Chopin recital at the 16th International North Cyprus Music Festival.
Organiser Halil Kalgay said: “We’re thrilled at her recovery as she was missed last year due to injury.”
Mrs Sadak replaces German Cyprus Symphony duo Wolfgang Schroeder and Jens Bachmann, who bowed out of their Monday piano and violin recital at short notice due to opposition from Greek Cypriot politicians.
The festival tempo changes this week with a taste of tango from the Salman and Korad duo on Wednesday, followed by an evening theatrical concert inspired by the Bard on Friday.
Turkish bandoneon virtuoso Tolga Salman and guitarist Kağan Korad offer a programme of tango gems by Piazolla and works composed by Mr Salman himself, Gubitsch and Fazıl Say.
The Friday Shakespeare and Music Stage Show by thespian Ayşe Lebriz Berkem promises Shakespearian ballads with soprano Linet Saul with 17th century lute and viol accompaniment by Diego Leveriç and Bülent Oral.
Tickets are priced at 50TL from Deniz Plaza bookshops and all concerts begin at 8.30pm, with 10 more concerts on offer at the abbey until Friday, November 16.
A PACKED audience of more than 3,000 music lovers gave a rapturous ovation to renowned Turkish pianist and composer Fazıl Say at a rare Salamis performance on Sunday.
Disappointed latecomers stuck in traffic were turned away as locals, expats and visitors from South Cyprus and Turkey all crammed into the venue as the TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra opened with a performance of SaintSaens’ Piano Concerto No 2, Op 22.
Spokesman and organiser of the 16th International North Cyprus Music Festival, Halil Kalgay, said: “Our young orchestra musicians did us credit and it was a deeply moving experience for them to play with such a virtuoso.”
Mr Say gave a breathtaking performance of his Troy Sonata Op 28 to a reverent audience and met up with US/North Cyprus-based soprano Demetra Mustafaoğlu and husband Mehmet after the show.
Kaleidoscope Tourism head Irene Raab said that it had been a night to remember for her full coachload of 50 British, German and local guests.
Mr Say commented: “The audience was wonderful and it was a joy to play with this priceless new orchestra of enthusiastic and talented young musicians.
“My congratulations to my old classmates, conductor Ali Hoca and orchestra director Mustafa Kofalı but North Cyprus deserves a new concert grand!”
Mr Say heads to Japan next month for a premiere tour of his Mesopotamian Symphony.