Classical music festival begins in Bodrum

BODRUM

The 14th Bodrum International Gümüşlük Classical Music Festival began on July 26 with a concert by French violinist Gilles Apap and accordionist Myriam Lafargue in the centuries-old historical Koyunbaba Ancient Stone Pit in the Aegean resort province of Bodrum. 

In her opening speech, the art consultant of the festival, pianist Gülsin Onay said they will present a program of 15 concerts from classical to jazz music. 

Speaking about the concerts to be performed by students as part of the Gümüşlük Festival Academy, Onay said, “We are proud of our students and we have very talented young people here every year. We have provided them very good opportunities and sent them abroad.”

In the opening concert, the Apap and Lafargue duo performed works by Fritz Kreisler, Maria Theresia von Paradis, Christoph Willibald Gluck, Astor Piazzolla and Antonio Vivaldi. 

Stating that he loves Bodrum and joined the festival in previous years, Apap said their music is in classical forms but they interpret it with their own improvisations.  

The festival will continue on July 29 with concerts by violinist Dilbağ Tokay and pianist Eren Levendoğlu.
 
Organized by the Bodrum Classical Music Association, the festival will continue until Sept. 4 with 15 main concerts and five student concerts. The classical concerts will be held in the centuries-old historical Koyunbaba Ancient Stone Pit, while Jazz on Water and Jazz on Sand concerts will be on the Gümüşlük beach.

A biennial competition named after Ahmed Adnan Saygun, a legendary composer who left his mark in the history of the Turkish Republic, will also be organized this year, marking its fourth edition between Aug. 15 and 19 at Toprak Ev in the festival center.

Tord Gustavsen, Begoa Ensemble, Emin Fındıkoğlu Quartet, Ilya Itin, Romano Pallottini, Mauricio Vallina, Egberto Gismonti and Derek Gripper will be among the other international artists of the festival along with Begoa Ensemble, Emin Fındıkoğlu Quartet, Alp Ersönmez, Erdem Sökmen & Hasan Meten and Bülent Evcil from Turkey.