Yesterday Emirhan surprised me with tickets to see the season-opening concert of the Antalya Symphony Orchestra. I’m a little embarrassed that we’d never gone before— I’d avoided even researching the possibility because I thought tickets would be really expensive, and not worth the paper they were printed on (I have extensive experience working with orchestras in areas where orchestral music isn’t really a priority, and have been underwhelmed to say the least).
Well, was I wrong. Antalya’s orchestra is a fine ensemble, tight and professional, and under the direction of İbrahim Yazıcı they were positively wonderful. It was a well-rounded evening ranging from Bernstein to Rimsky-Korsakov, from Mozart to Milhaud, and at a price of 6 lira (3 for concessions), I couldn’t believe the amazing value.
Joining the orchestra in the first half was world-renowned pianist Özgür Aydın, a man who plays refreshingly impeccable Mozart, and who came back for two encores during which he delighted the audience with both Chopin and Rachmaninoff. He plays without the irritating arrogance that ruins so many young confident pianists, and I’m definitely hoping he comes back for the Antalya Piano Festival in the winter. My only gripe about the evening was that venues and ensembles worldwide seem insistent on using Steinway pianos, which I find come across a bit… grandmotherly, especially when having to cut through an orchestra, but that is hardly Özgür Aydın’s fault. I’d love to see what he could do on a piano with a more robust character.
I’m a little bit sad now that I missed that Antalya Piano Festival two years in a row simply because I assumed tickets would be expensive. What an idiot not to find out what the prices were! I’ll definitely be checking it out this year, and as well we plan on attending as many concerts of the Antalya Symphony Orchestra as possible this season. Wiki
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