The Turkish Russian Classical Music Festival Begins in Antalya’s Side Ancient Theatre
Antalya, Turkey’s tourism capital which has been drawing great attention by Russian tourists, has gained a new classical music festival. The Turkish Russian Classical Music Festival, which took place on the 8th of May instead of the 7th of May due to bad weather, was well received by art lovers at the opening concert.
In 2019, which was declared as the ‘’Turkish-Russian Culture and Tourism Year’’ by the two countries, the festival will be held to strengthen the friendship between these two countries, and to demonstrate this friendship through music. This event is supported by Barut Hotels, one of the most important tourism groups to support socially responsible projects which benefit society in various ways, such as culture, art, history, nature and sports. Barut Hotels Chairman Haydar Barut said in his statement: ‘’As this year has been announced to be Turkish-Russian Culture and Tourism year, we wanted to make a significant contribution to this friendship with the Turkish-Russian Classical Music Festival. We would like to thank Maestro Spivakov, Anna Aglatova and our pride Fazıl Say for such a great festival and grand opening concert.’’
Chef Vladimir Spivakov, the General Art Director of the festival and one of the greatest violin artists of our time, and the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra started their first concert with “Composers of Two Friendly Countries” in the impressive atmosphere of the 3000-year-old Side Ancient Theatre. In memory of the 10th anniversary of the death of Turkish composer Nevit Kodallı, the “Telli Turna –Suite for Orchestra”, composed in 1969, was performed, and Shostakovich’s masterpiece “Prelude and Scherzo”, composed in 1924-1925, was also included. Then, Soprano Anna Aglatova performed the most popular arias of the opera literature.
Known as “the sister of Cecilia Bartoli” throughout Europe, the young artist’s solo talent was rewarded with great acclaim. At the end of the concert, world-renowned Turkish pianist and composer Fazıl Say performed Mozart’s “12th Piano Concerto” solo. Say, who was watched with great attention and admiration by local and foreign music lovers who filled the ancient theatre, came to the stage in response to the intense interest and applause. He played his Black Earth piece with a surprise collage, connecting it with the tune of “Mountains of İzmir”, and again finished with Veysel. All art lovers in the theatre greatly enjoyed this unique improvisation.
Vladimir Spivakov stated that the concert he gave with the festival’s permanent orchestra Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, celebrating its 40th anniversary, had been their most thrilling concert in recent years. He said: “The first person to mention in this festival is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He hosted Shostakovich and Oistrakh, the most famous Russian opera-ballet artists in Turkey for days, organised concerts and listened to them. This festival started with him. We also had many concerts in Antalya. However, giving a concert at a festival celebrating the “Turkish-Russian classical music friendship” is another source of excitement and pride! Every concert is unforgettable with a great artist like Fazıl Say. We’re in such harmony that it’s like we’ve always been playing together. Anna’s success in front of a Turkish audience was another source of happiness for us. For Moscow Virtuosi, it was an unforgettable concert on their 40th anniversary.”
The second concert of the Turkish-Russian Classical Music Festival will take place on Thursday, May 9th at 21:15. At the concert, the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra will host Spivakov as the conductor and soloist, accompanied by Vivaldi’s “Violin Concerto”. Later, under Spivakov, the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra will accompany Sergey Zhuravel, one of the most successful flutists in Russia, for Vivaldi’s “Flute Concerto”. The concert will be completed with the works of Boccherini and Tchaikovsky.
At the closing concert, “Piazzolla-Gala”, which will be held on Saturday, May 11th at 21:00, Maestro Spivakov and the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra will accompany the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra soloists and the accordionist Nikita Vlasov, one of the most talented young artists of Russia. The festival will end with a special concert of Astor Piazzolla, who has a special place when it comes to the romantic works of our century.
Tickets are available via Biletix
Tickets for the Turkish Russian Classical Music Festival are on sale at Biletix in Turkey and abroad. Concert tickets can be purchased at the Biletix tolls or at www.biletix.com.