Festival to revive Ankara's music scene

Organized by the Sevda-Cenap And Music Foundation, the 33rd International Ankara Music Festival will open on April 4. With the participation of nearly 330 artists from 17 countries, the festival will present a total of 12 events until April 30. Among the events will be three world premieres and eight Turkey premieres. 

Symphonic orchestra concerts in the festival's opening and closing, artists' first concerts, the participation of young talents and the development of joint national and international projects are some of the traditions of the Ankara Music Festival. 

The opening concert of the festival will be organized on April 4, featuring the Ankara Youth Symphonic Orchestra under the baton of Fazl? Orhun Orhon. The orchestra was formed in 2011 with the members of conservatories in Ankara.  

The soloist of the concert will be young pianist Tolga Atalay Ün, who is working at the Royal College of Music in the U.K. 

Renowned Italian band Aniello Desiderio & Quaretto Furioso will give a workshop with classical guitarists as part of the festival. The band will also be on the stage on April 7. 

The French Kafig dance ensemble, a modern dance company which combines classical music with hip hop dance and martial arts, will present "BoxeBoxe" on April 12. 

The Hacettepe University Symphony Orchestra will be on the stage on April 13. The concert will be conducted by Burak Tüzün and accompanied by Rah?an Apay in cello. 

Two giant names of the classical music world, Steven Isserlis from the U.K. and Canadian pianist Connie Shih, will be in Turkey for the first time as a duo on April 16.  

Isserlis is distinguished for his diverse repertoire and distinctive sound deployed with his use of gut strings and...