Özyeğin Philharmonic Orchestra gave its first concert at Lütfi Kırdar

Speaking at the opening of the program presented by Özyeğin University student Selin Önder, Hüsnü Özyeğin stated that, with the contribution of the Hüsnü Özyeğin Foundation and Fiba Group, which has been working for equal opportunities in education for 40 years, they carried the education-oriented social investment approach to the field of culture and arts, and that they established the orchestra for this purpose, and that they started this journey under the artistic direction of the famous composer and pianist Fazıl Say, who built a strong artistic bridge between Turkey and the world. Hüsnü Özyeğin; "It was important for me that the orchestra, the academy and the outreach focus came together under one roof. My biggest wish for the future is that the Özyeğin Philharmonic will create its own tradition over time. I hope that we will talk about the world-wide stories of the young musicians whose development we have contributed to over the years. This evening has a special meaning for us as a date. Tomorrow is November 10. We will once again commemorate the founder of our Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with great longing and gratitude. Atatürk was a young musician." Atatürk knew that an enlightened Turkey was possible with young people who could express themselves to the world through art and music in the early years of the Republic. As Özyeğin Philharmonic, we want to be a strong part of that path and contribute to the bright Turkey dream that Atatürk entrusted to us. “Let it be.” He underlined that they will stand behind the orchestra and thanked everyone who shared this dream with them and those who contributed.

Following Özyeğin, Fazıl Say gave information about the establishment and goals of the orchestra and introduced the upcoming program.

At the concert conducted by the famous Chinese conductor Tianyi Lu, the orchestra performed Beethoven's Egmont Overture. Then, with the excellent accompaniment of the orchestra with Hande Küden on the principal violin, Fazıl Say played his own composition, the "Mother Earth" Piano Concerto, which made the voice of Anatolia heard.

THE FIRST TICKETED CONCERT IS ON DECEMBER 26

The orchestra will give its first concert with ticket sales at the Volkswagen Arena on December 26, under the baton of conductor Howard Griffiths. The soloists of the concert, where Hande Küden will be the principal violinist and the works of Say and Mozart will be played, will be Fazıl Say and Burcu Karadağ (ney), Hakan Güngör (qanun), Aykut Köselerli (percussion).