Istanbul Music Festival concludes

On the final day of the 52nd Istanbul Music Festival, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), pianist Khatia Buniatishvili met with music lovers at the İş Towers Hall with her "Labyrinth" concert.

Buniatishvili, who has gained a fan base worldwide, presented a rich recital to the audience featuring compositions by Erik Satie, Frederic Chopin, Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Schubert, and Franz Liszt.

Istanbul Music Festival Director Efruz Çakırkaya stated before the concert that by focusing on the theme of "roots" this year, they aimed to highlight the cultural richness of the different peoples, languages, and religions that have lived in these lands from the past to the present.

Stating that they held a total of 25 concerts in 17 different venues throughout the festival, Çakırkaya noted the following:

"We hosted very important and prestigious orchestras and star soloists from the world, Europe, and Turkey. We experienced a very enthusiastic festival. We said a wonderful 'hello' to summer with free concerts held in Istanbul's historical venues, private concert halls, and public spaces, parks, and gardens, as well as children's and family events. We are working to meet with our festival audience and music lovers again at the 53rd Istanbul Music Festival next year. We will work this summer and announce a wonderful program at the beginning of next year."

The 52nd Istanbul Music Festival, sponsored by Borusan Holding, took place between May 21 and June 13.

This year, the festival was attended by over 60 artists, including important ensembles such as the Budapest Festival Orchestra, Festival Strings Lucerne, Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra, Mantua Chamber Orchestra, Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra, Hungarian National Choir, and Borusan Quartet, as well as soloists like Maria Joao Pires, Khatia Buniatishvili, Francesco Piemontesi, Istvan Vardai, Gülsin Onay, Edgar Moreau, Kristof Barati, and Roby Lakatos, with nearly 20 thousand spectators.

Within the scope of the program, the world premieres of 4 works, including 3 works commissioned by the Istanbul Music Festival, and the Turkey premieres of 3 works were performed.

The festival's Honorary Award was presented to conductor Cem Mansur, who has played an important role in the classical music world for 40 years with his career in Turkey, Europe, and the UK, the orchestras he founded, and the opportunities he created for young people.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Steve Reich, who is considered one of the great living American composers.

News Source: 12punto