Pianist Fazil Say Starts Concert Tour

Classical pianist and composer Fazıl Say will start a concert tour in Turkey this week playing his latest studio recording “İlk Şarkılar” (First Songs).

Say will be performing three concerts, visiting the holiday resort towns of Datça in Muğla province, Çeşme in İzmir, and Ayvalık in Balıkesir on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

A fourth concert is scheduled for Aug. 12 in Çanakkale as part of the northwestern city’s 51st International Troia Festival, according to Say’s official Facebook page. In the meantime, Say will continue to perform in overseas locations and more dates in Turkey will be announced later, his publicist said in a press release last week.

“İlk Şarkılar,” released in 2013, is already one of the top-selling classical albums of 2014 in Turkey, with a recently released vinyl version adding to its popularity.

A blend of literature and music, the album features a selection of classic poems by some of Turkey’s best known poets, including Nâzım Hikmet, Orhan Veli Kanık, Can Yücel, Metin Altıok and Cemal Süreya, set to music by Say around 20 years ago. The album features vocals by Serenad Bağcan.