Öçal gives Bach a new beat at Swiss festival

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Burhan Öçal and Ukrainian pianist Alexey Botvinov prepare to perfrom Bach variations at Montreux Jazz Festival.

Acclaimed Turkish percussionist Burhan Öçal will perform at the Swiss Montreux Jazz Festival on July 7. Ukrainian pianist Alexey Botvinov, who is perceived as one of the best performers of Bach and Rachmaninov, will accompany Öçal on stage. The duo will perform Bach’s “Goldberg Variations.” This will be the fifth Montreux festival Öçal has performed at. The duo aims to merge melodies of the East and West together in their performance. Öçal will accompany the pianist with his own variations, which he has played 300 times before.

“Montreux is one of the best jazz festivals in the world and I am proud to be part of the festival again,” said Öçal, adding that over years the Montreux Jazz Festival has become a not-to-be-missed event for music fans in Switzerland and the world.

“We will perform Bach’s variations in a different form and we both are very excited,” he said.

Music world’s greats

In previous years the festival has been graced by all of music’s greats, from Miles Davis to Ray Charles, from David Bowie to Prince. Historically, jazz has made up the core of the festival, however, other complimentary styles of music have, over the years, been integrated into the festival’s program. Having made its reputation with its ambitious programming choices, the Montreux Jazz Festival offers musicians an ideal platform and an intimate setting. The festival runs for two weeks.