Prominent Turkish pianist Say receives prestigious music award

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

World-renowned Turkish pianist and composer Fazıl Say has received one of the most prestigious awards in European classical music, the ECHO special jury award. DHA photo

World-renowned Turkish pianist and composer Fazıl Say has received one of the most prestigious awards in European classical music, the ECHO special jury award.

Say received the award for his Istanbul Symphony composition. According to a written statement made by the jury, “Say received the award for his success at combining East and West in his symphony.”

The Istanbul Symphony has been played by the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Gürer Aykal, Burcu Karadağ on the ney, Hakan Güngör on the kanun and Aykut Köselerli on percussion.

In 2008, Say received an award in the best chamber music category for a self-titled album he recorded with Moldovan violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja. The award is given annually by the Deutsche Phono-Akademie, an association of German recording companies.

In 2001, he also received the best composer award for a Stravinsky interpretation. The Istanbul Symphony is 45 minutes long and composed of seven parts. The symphony has been played in 50 different concerts.

Say has also released a new album, “Mesopotamia,” featuring “Mesopotamia Symphony no.2” and “Universe Symphony no.3.” The album is already available in stores worldwide.