Turkish president, US senator see famed pianist perform

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

A weekend concert by famed Turkish pianist Fazıl Say in the Turkish capital Ankara had the distinguished audience of the nation’s president and a visiting U.S. senator.

Say’s performance of the Troy Sonata and other pieces on Jan. 18 was met with a standing ovation and praise from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who lauded Say’s “genuinely unique performance.”

Saying he hoped to see the pianist perform more concerts in Ankara and Istanbul, Erdoğan presented Say with a record from Aşık Veysel, a famous Turkish folk musician and poet.

After meeting with Erdoğan on Jan. 19, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham described Say’s concert as “one of the greatest experiences” of his life.

Graham had been specially invited to the event by the president.

Several other luminaries also attended the concert, including first lady Emine Erdoğan, Vice President Fuat Oktay, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, and presidential spokesman İbrahim Kalın.