Author : Miriam Davidson

Description

Author : Fazil Say

Description

Fazıl Say's Ballads are evocative and contemplative piano compositions that carry subtle literary and biographical connections. The inaugural ballad, "Nazim," which is performed solely on the white keys, pays tribute to the renowned Turkish author Nâzim Hikmet (1902-63). Influenced by Communist ideology, Hikmet faced persistent persecution and imprisonment in Turkey, prompting him to leave Istanbul in 1921 to reside in Anatolia in search of a connection with "ordinary people." The title of the second ballad, "Kumru," translates to "dove" in Turkish and is also a common name for girls in the country. "Sevenlere Dair" translates to "for lovers." In these titles, Fazıl Say alludes to the Eastern tradition of minnesong, referencing Ibn Hazm al-Andalusi's treatise "The Ring of the Dove. On Love and Lovers," which dates back to 1030 in Spain and is often regarded as the "Ovid of the Arabs."

Author : Fazil Say

Description

The final movement of the sonata Dört Şehir (Four Cities), titled Bodrum, presents a lively and brisk stroll through the vibrant entertainment area of Bodrum. This piece is available here in a standalone edition for piano.

Author : Fazil Say

Description

Faz?l Say’s “Four Cities” Sonata can be viewed as an exploration of four distinct cities in Anatolia, drawing from the composer’s personal memories and life experiences. Among these, Bodrum stands out as a popular tourist destination, contrasting with the other three cities. Each city, selected from the vast 2000-kilometer stretch of Anatolia, showcases its unique cultural identity. Sivas, a conservative city in Eastern Anatolia with a significant Alevi population, inspires the first movement, which reflects the influence of Alevi poet Aşık Veysel’s song “Sazım,” concluding with a somber homage to the ethnic instrument. The second movement is inspired by a traditional wedding, capturing the essence of Eastern Black Sea culture through the lively Horon dance and incorporating elements from Caucasian, Georgian, and Laz musical traditions. Ankara, designated as Turkey's capital by Atatürk in 1923, serves as the backdrop for the third movement, which evokes a sense of nostalgia and tragedy, referencing the rebellious song “Ankara’nın Taşına Bak” from World War I. Finally, Bodrum reemerges in the last movement, characterized by its vibrant nightlife, where the sounds of various music genres blend together, creating a lively jazz-infused atmosphere that nods to the song “Yıldızların Altında.”

Author : Fazil Say

Description

The concert composition Paganini Jazz by Fazıl Say draws inspiration from classical, modern, and jazz genres, evoking the styles of renowned musicians such as Scott Joplin, Art Tatum, Gershwin, and Bernstein. Initially conceived as an engaging encore piece in 1988, it garnered positive feedback from audiences and music critics alike, leading to its evolution into a more substantial piano work over time. Between 1988 and 1995, the piece underwent several revisions and expansions. It can be viewed as a reinterpretation of Paganini's famous "24th Capriccio," reimagined as "variations on jazz" that demand virtuosic performance and allow for improvisation and diverse arrangements.