Ali Nihat Gökyiğit to Be Commemorated with Two Special Concerts

Founded in 1992 by Ali Nihat Gökyiğit with a mission to serve world peace and brotherhood among nations through music, Tekfen Filarmoni is dedicating its December concerts this year to its founder, who passed away earlier this year. At the concert, the orchestra under the direction of Permanent Conductor Aziz Shokhakimov will perform Erich Korngold's Violin Concerto alongside Bulgarian violinist Liya Petrova, while masters of traditional instruments—kemança, qanun, oud and ney players Mehri Arifqızı, Göksel Baktagir, Yurdal Tokcan and Ercan Irmak—will perform works beloved by the founder. Featuring a variety approaching that of a festival, the concert will present the violin concerto, which the composer described as "written more for a Caruso than for Paganini" and which is technically quite demanding, with its rich melodies and lyrical character inviting the performer toward a vocal interpretation. The work's soloist is Bulgarian violinist Liya Petrova, winner of the prestigious Carl Nielsen International Competition, renowned for her clear tone and lyrical expression. Other works to be performed—Turkish Fragments (Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov), Two Miniatures: Aişe and Dance (Kara Karayev), Kemança Concerto (Hacı Hanmemmedov), Ney Concerto (İlyas Mirzayev), Bahçekurd (M. Adel Gerai) and East Wind (Göksel Baktagir)—will raise the melodies of both East and West. Concerts will be held on 6 December at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Centre in Izmir and on 7 December at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul. Tickets are on sale at biletinial.com.