Istanbul metropolis in sound: Fazıl Say and Borusan in Hamburg

Fazıl Say

By Mengguang Huang, 01 September 2025

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“the festival successfully opened a window onto a cultural landscape”

Reviewed at Elbphilharmonie: Grand Hall, Hamburg on 1 September 2025

Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue

Ravel, Piano Concerto in G major

Tüzün, Nasreddin Hoca Humoresque

Say, Symphony no. 6, “A 100-Year-Old Child”

Fazıl Say, Piano

Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra

Carlo Tenan, Conductor

Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic: spiritually fulfilling Beethoven

Phil Parker, 10th April

That a Turkish orchestra excels in Turkish music is no surprise... but in mainstream Western repertoire too? BIPO and Carlo Tenan charm Sheffield with their fresh take on the classics.

****1

Carlo Tenan delivers a tempestuous, desperate Mozart Requiem

Simon Cummings, 2nd June

The Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic and Hungarian National Choir give a searing account of Mozart’s Requiem, superbly guided by conductor Carlo Tenan.

*****

She's got rhythm: Barbara Hannigan in Istanbul

Peter Quantrill, 3rd June

The Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra opens the Istanbul Music Festival featuring a showstopping, all-singing, all-conducting Gershwin finale.

****1

Glass' Eleventh given Turkish première

Alain Matalon, 16th June

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

****1

Opening concert of the Istanbul Music Festival

Jonathan Sutherland, 29th May

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

***11

A special treat in Istanbul: Penderecki by Penderecki

Rina Altaras, 21st April

The Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra had the privilege of playing three works of Krzysztof Penderecki under the composer's own baton.

*****

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Mengguang Huang

Mengguang Huang is a Hamburg-based project manager in the construction industry. With a strong passion for classical music, he was introduced to the world of early music during his time in the UK, where he developed a particular fondness for renaissance and Baroque vocal music. Driven by his love for this genre, he now makes it a priority to attend major Baroque opera productions and concerts across Western Europe whenever possible, continuing to deepen his appreciation for this rich musical tradition.