Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | Istanbul Music Festival

Beethoven meets Ottoman composer Dede Efendi in a contemporary take on the Pastoral Symphony in Istanbul. 

Violinist Anna Tifu and the Tekfen Philharmonic join together for a richly played Poème before Aziz Shokhakimov conducts Brahms' First Symphony.

Rustling trees, wandering cats and a laconic golden retriever grace the Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra's festival opening concert.

An occasionally uneven but often searing set of performances from the Tekfen Philharmonic and cellist Daniel Muller-Schott. 

A diverse and complex Istanbul neighbourhood hosts ensembles and programmes from across Europe and Asia 

Daredevil piano playing and luscious Stravinsky at the 47th Istanbul Music Festival.

Singer Meral Azizoğlu with the Gypsy Fire Ensemble take us back to the glamourous world of early twentieth century Istanbul.

Imaginative Bach and an exciting new work by Dobrinka Tabakova played by the Amsterdam Sinfonietta with pianists Ferhan and Ferzan Önder.

Youthful Mahler, earth-shattering Shostatovich and life-affirming Schumann, played by The Maisky Trio and Maxim Rysanov at the Istanbul Music Festival.

The complexities of Istanbul's rich culture and history, explored in a heady mixture of music from Bach to Afganistan, played by the Melodies of Istanbul Orchestra, directed by Hakan Güngör. 

Philip Glass' Eleventh Symphony, given its Turkish première at the Istanbul Music Festival, returns to his signature repetitive style. 

Berlin Philharmonic cellists combine with Turkish counterparts for a dazzling performance in Istanbul.

Waltzes and Turkish folk dances energise spirited piano duet recital

Visiting Russian players offer sophisticated Brahms and sensitive Elgar in Istanbul.

Ravel and Prokofiev offer divergent views on the piano left-hand concerto, but fine performances ensure satisfying contrast.

Víkingur Ólafsson’s recordings were already positive cues going in, but I must admit, his performance of the Goldbergs exceeded my wildest expectations. 

Serpents steal the show in one of Istanbul’s most charming shopping centres. 

An arcane Armenian orthodox chapel, two glittering Greek Orthodox churches, a waterfront palazzo and a sumptuous Austrian villa were fascinating venues for a delightful day of mini-concerts at the Istanbul Festival.

Although Beethoven was none too fond of despots, self-proclaimed emperors, or religious intuitions, one can image his approbation for Justinian’s stupendous Hagia Eirene basilica as a perfect venue for his music. 

Mikhail Rudy’s recital adapting music to animated art projections disappoints. 

Most music Festivals only have to deal with demanding divas, mercurial maestros or bad weather. In Istanbul there is a lot more at stake.

American–Armenian viola player Kim Kashkashian and Hungarian pianist Peter Nagy included a world première performance of Tigran Mansurian in their recital programme in Istanbul.

Angela Hewitt's Spanish Lanscapes offered perfect summer fare delivered with flawless execution.

The five musicians on stage performed just like a well-oiled machine in Dvořák's Op. 81 Piano Quintet’s devilishly tricky coda.

Mixed fare that Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra and conductor Christopher Warren-Green, with Nelson Freire's performance the highlight. 

Szymanowksi’s thrilling Symphony no. 4 “Symphonie concertante” for piano and orchestra is the highlight of this Istanbul Music Festival programme from Sinfonia Varsovia and pianist Piotr Anderszewski. 

Steven Isserlis' passionate and improvisatory reading of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto served as the saving grace for the otherwise lacklustre programme.