This year’s İKSV Istanbul Music Festival, the 53rd in the series, is scheduled to run from June 11 to 26. Organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İstanbul Kültür Sanat Vakfı or ‘İKSV’) and centred around the theme of ‘Beyond Borders’, the 25 concerts feature more than 45 ensembles and soloists including the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Camerata Salzburg, Geneva Camerata, the Bulgarian National Philharmonic Choir, the Slovak Philharmonic Choir, pianists Hélène Grimaud, Frank Peter Zimmermann, Rafał Blechacz, Alexandre Kandorow and Alexey Botvinov, the violinist Veriko Tchumburidze, viola-player Anastasia Kobekina; cellists Gautier Capuçon and Anastasia Kobekina; and a large number of vocalists and players of traditional instruments. The Festival’s main sponsor is Borusan Holding.
Venues include the Palais de France, the Sakıp Sabancı Museum, the Greek Monastery on Kınalıada (one of the Princes’ Islands), three churches in Büyükdere, the Grand Tarabya Hotel and the Yıldız and Yoğurtçu Parks, as well as more conventional halls such as the Atatürk Cultural Centre, the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, the Süreyya Opera House and the Zorlu Center. One special feature of this festival is the inclusion in some of the musical events of an element of dance, painting or theatre. In addition, newly-commissioned works by the contemporary composers Valentin Silvestrov (Ukraine) and Hasan Uçarsu (Turkey) will receive their premieres. As is customary, there are special projects supporting woman musicians, and children’s workshops and family concerts will be held at various locations in Istanbul.
And here is the Festival’s online brochure
Tekfen Philharmonic (photo: Fatih Pınar)
Wednesday, June 11, 20:00
Opening concert
Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bulgarian National Choir
Atatürk Cultural Centre, Türk Telekom Opera Hall, Taksim
Photos: Felix Broede and Sasha Gusov
Thursday, June 12, 20:00
Cello and piano recital
Gautier Capuçon (cello), Alexandre Kantorow (piano)
Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, Maçka
Friday, June 13: 20:00
Piano & dance
‘Pictures in Motion’: the Italian-Slovenian pianist Alexander Gadjiev, with the Turkish break-dancer and choreographer Yaman Oku
Türkcell Platinum Sahnesi, Zorlu Performing Arts Centre’ or ‘PSM’, Zorlu Center
Saturday, June 14: 20:00
Orchestral, piano concerto
Camerata Salzburg, Hélène Grimaud (piano)
Atatürk Cultural Centre (AKM) Türk Telekom Opera Hall, Taksim
Monday, June 16, 20:00
Chamber music
Veriko Tchumburidze (violin), Anastasia Kobekina (cello) and Alexey Botvinov (piano)
The world premiere of a commissioned work by Valentin Silvestrov, *Moments of Memory V*, followed by Rachmaninov and Dvořák.
Süreyya Opera House, Moda, Kadıköy
Tuesday, June 17, 21:00
Cello & accordion recital
Cellist François Salque and accordion-player Vincent Peirani
Palais de France, Tomtom Kaptan Sok., Beyoğlu
Wednesday, June 18, 20:00
Music & dance
Geneva Camerata ‘Revolta’ (pictured above)
Türkcell Sahnesi (‘Turkcell Theatre’), Zorlu Performing Arts Centre (PSM), Zorlu Center
Thursday, June 19, 20:00
Orchestral, violin concerto
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Frank Peter Zimmermann (violin)
Atatürk Cultural Centre (AKM) Türk Telekom Opera Hall, Taksim
Friday, June 20, 20:00
Orchestral, piano concerto
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Rafał Blechacz (piano)
Atatürk Cultural Centre (AKM) Türk Telekom Opera Hall, Taksim
Saturday, June 21, 12.00–16.30
Chamber music duos
‘Music Route @ Büyükdere’
Three recitals held sequentially in three churches in Büyükdere, on the European side of the Upper Bosphorus.
Büyükdere
Saturday, June 21, 20:00
Chamber music & visual art
Women Stars of Tomorrow
Süreyya Opera House, Moda, Kadıköyl
Sunday, June 22, 21:00
Tango
Cuarteto SolTango & Leonel Capitona: ‘Poesía’
Grand Tarabya Hotel Panorama Terrace, Tarabya, Istanbul
Monday, June 23, 21:00
Turkish, Azeri and Iranian recital
‘Strings in Love’ *(Tellerin Aşkı)*
Traditional Turkish and Azerbaijani melodies and more.
Sakıp Sabancı Museum (Fıstıklı Terrace), Emirgan
Tuesday, June 24, 20:00
Baroque chamber music & theatre
Caravaggio & Monteverdi
The ‘La Venexiana’ ensemble and the ‘Teatri 35’ group
Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall
Wednesday, June 25, 20:30
Music of the Turkish and Greek peoples
‘The Island’
Christos Greek Orthodox Monastery, Kınalıada
Thursday, June 26, 20:00
Choral and Orchestral Music
Rossini Night with the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra
Main image (top): Yannick Perrin
THE FESTIVAL'S SPECIAL MUSICAL WEEKENDS
Saturday June 14, 15:00–16:00
Outdoor children’s event
Yıldız Park, Çırağan Caddesi, Beşiktaş, free of charge.
Saturday, June 14, 17:00
Outdoor jazz concert
Two performances, each an hour long: first, ‘Canto in Flow’ by the Netherlands Saxophone Octet plus a ‘yogi and yogini’, then ‘Classic Meets Jazz’ (alternatively, ‘Chopin Meets Jazz’) by the Preda Brothers, an ensemble consisting of piano, bass guitar and percussion. ‘Canto in Flow’ appears to include an element of yoga.There is no seating arrangement at this outdoor event, though a limited number of cushions will be available; therefore, concert-goers are advised to bring their own folding chair or cushion. Those planning to take part in the yoga should bring their own yoga mat.
Yıldız Park, Çırağan Caddesi, Beşiktaş, free of charge.
Sunday June 15, 15:00-16:00
Outdoor children’s event
This event, organised for children aged 10-12, is a hip-hop dance workshop that aims to ‘enhance children’s sense of rhythm and music while fostering their creativity’. The workshop, for which reservation is required, will be conducted in Turkish. It will be supervised, but parents or caregivers are requested to stay near the venue during the proceedings. Children should wear comfortable clothing and sports shoes to ensure ease of movement, and should bring a bottle of water with them.
Yoğurtçu Park, Moda, Kadıköy (free of charge)
Sunday June 15
Outdoor jazz concert
Canto in Flow’ by the Dutch Saxophone Octet plus a ‘yogi and yogini’, followed ‘Classic Meets Jazz’ (alternatively, ‘Chopin Meets Jazz’) by the Preda Brothers, an ensemble consisting of piano, bass guitar and percussion. ‘Canto in Flow’ appears to include an element of yoga. Each performance is an hour long.There is no seating arrangement at this outdoor event, though a limited number of cushions will be available; concert-goers are advised to bring their own folding chair or cushion. Those planning to take part in the yoga should bring their own yoga mat.
Yoğurtçu Park, Moda, Kadıköy (free of charge).
Saturday June 21, 15:00–16:00
Children’s event
This event, organised for children aged 7-9, is a hip-hop dance workshop that aims to ‘enhance children’s sense of rhythm and music while fostering their creativity’. The workshop, for which reservation is required, will be conducted in Turkish. It will be supervised, but parents or caregivers are requested to stay near the venue during the proceedings. Children should wear comfortable clothing and sports shoes to ensure ease of movement, and should bring a bottle of water with them.
İKSV *Alt Kat* (‘Lower Floor’), İKSV Nejat Eczacıbaşı building, Bereketzade Mah., Sadi Konuralp Cad., Şişhane Sok. No 5, Şişhane, Beyoğlu, 34433 Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 334 07 00
This event is free of charge.
Event website
