ISTANBUL
Poland's greatest living composer Krzysztof Penderecki, British cellist Steven Isserlis, classical and flamenco guitarist Pepe Romero are just three of the artists to play from 31 May to 27 June in a classical music extravaganza in Istanbul.
Around eight hundred local and international musicians will be playing in concert halls and arts centers throughout the capital throughout June. Some of the other artists playing are; Dutch violinist Isabelle van Keulen, Russian composer Alexander Raskatov, Brazilian classical pianist Nelson Freire, French harpist Xavier de Maistre and Chinese classical pianist Yuja Wang.
Some of the world’s leading orchestras, Sinfonia Varsovia and Teresa Carreño Youth Orchestra of Venezuela will also be playing in Istanbul led by Jose Antonio Abreu. founder of 'El Sistema,' a publicly financed voluntary sector music education program in Venezuela, founded in 1975. The enormous 240-strong orchestra will have an unforgettable concert with their colourful and powerful energy in order to reinforce our beliefs in the power of music.
The festival is sponsored by Turkish energy conglomerate Borusan. The theme of the festival is "The Song of Nature".
"This year, the festival features 26 events in a variety of genres from baroque to contemporary music. Among these are concerts by symphony and chamber orchestras, vocal and chamber music concerts, as well as recitals and ‘Classical Sundays’. Pre-concert talks and talks on concert programmes will continue," says Yesim Gurer Oymak, director of the festival.
- Inspiration for young musicians
The festival is continuing to support young musicians with special projects in its program.
"Istanbul Music Festival in Search of Its Young Soloist," a drive initiated two years ago as part of the festival in order to discover and encourage young talents throughout the country, will feature a young Turkish pianist this year who would be selected by a jury following a national audition. The winner of the competition will give a concert in the festival.
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