Gümüşlük Classical Music Festival kicks off
ISTANBUL
The 15th edition of the International Gümüşlük Classical Music Festival started on Aug. 1 in Bodrum’s Gümüşlük district in the western Turkish province of Muğla.
The festival features an inspirational line-up including Alexander Markov, Shaun Choo, Konrad Richter and Cyprien Katsaris. Training courses and masterclasses are also run during the festival at the Gümüşlük Festival Academy (GFA).
The artistic advisor of the festival pianist Gülsin Onay and the artistic director of the festival pianist Eren Levendoğlu are among other musicians from Russia, the United States, Israel, Zimbabwe, Italy, Cyprus, Singapore and Germany to perform at the 15th International Gumusluk Classical Music Festival.
Supported by the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality and Bodrum Municipality, the festival started on Aug. 1 with a concert from the young talents who attended the double bass masterclass held at the Gümüşlük Festival Academy this year.
The festival invites classical music lovers to the concerts under the titles of “On Stone,” “On Water” and “On Sand.”
On Stone concerts will be taking place at the Antique Stone Quarry. The first concert in this historic venue will begin on Aug. 10 with Russian-born U.S. violinist Alexander Markov and pianist Onay.
On Aug. 12, the French-Cypriot pianist and composer Cyprien Katsaris will give a recital. In addition to being an outstanding artist, Katsaris is also recognized as a leading pedagogue.
Classical music in Gümüşlük will continue with the Singaporean pianist Shaun Choo on August 15. In this recital, Choo will include his own compositions as a part of his prizes that he won at the Fourth Ahmed Adnan Saygun Piano Competition and the International Istanbul Orchestra’Sion Piano Contest.
On Aug. 20, world renowned German pianist Konrad Richter will play at the stunning historical Antique Stone Quarry.
To mark the 15th year of the festival, On Stone concerts will end with a special event titled “440 Keys” on Sept. 4.
Jazz at sunset
Internationally acclaimed jazz and ethnic music artists will be performing throughout the festival under the title of On Water. The concerts will take place by the seaside on Aug. 28.
Blessing “Bled” Chimanga & Dreams Band will be performing within the unique sunset settings of Gümüşlük. The band promises to take the audience on an African journey with energetic and passionate rhythms.
New York Times defines Oran Etkin as “the great clarinetist and the great improviser.” On Sept. 1, he will be performing with Timbalooloo to meet children and jazz lovers for the project titled “A Childish Day.”
On Sept. 2, the artist will be on the beach of Gümüşlük and performing his project “Reimagining Benny Goodman.”
Series of concerts from young talents
The concept of the festival On Sand will be jam-packed with concerts from the students of GFA this year. The concerts will take place at the Earthbag Mini Hall, which is located in the festival center on the beach of Gümüşlük.
Started with the Double Bass on Aug. 1, the series will continue with Violoncello on Aug. 7, Violin on Aug. 9, Piano on Aug. 23 and Flute on Aug. 31.
Around 70 Gumusluk Festival Academy students will be attending masterclasses this year before performing at the festival.
The GFA also collaborates with the Bodrum Music Festival for its students to perform at their sunrise concerts on Aug. 5 and Aug. 6.
The festival program and the ticket information can be found for all concerts and events at www.gumuslukfestival.org.