New sounds and soundscapes in Istanbul

By Rina Altaras, 02 April 2016

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Reviewed at Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Istanbul on 31 March 2016

Takemitsu, Quotation of Dream

Britten, Scottish Ballad for 2 pianos and orchestra, Op.26 (Turkish Première)

Ravel, Valses nobles et sentimentales (arranged for four hands)

Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade, Op.35

Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra

Sascha Goetzel, Conductor

Ufuk Dördüncü, Piano

Bahar Dördüncü, Piano

Istanbul metropolis in sound: Fazıl Say and Borusan in Hamburg

Mengguang Huang, 1st September

At the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, Fazıl Say concluded his residency with the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic with an evening of jazz, Ravel and his own symphony, capturing the restless energy of an Istanbul-style metropolis.

****1

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.