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The 21st Gumusluk Music Festival in Bodrum began with an enchanting concert by Hungarian violinist Kristof Barati and Turkish pianist Tuna Bilgin.
The festival, sponsored by Bosfor Tourism and supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, holds the prestigious EFFE2025 award, recognizing it as one of Europe’s most distinguished festivals.
The festival's opening concert took place at the historic 25-century-old Antik Tas Ocagi, an ancient stone quarry. Pianist Eren Levendlou is the festival’s artistic director, while pianist Gulsin Onay is the artistic advisor.
The concert featured sonatas by Beethoven, Brahms, and Franck, attracting notable figures from Bodrum and many classical music enthusiasts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZUkUKZUKj0
After the opening, Portuguese pianists Antonio Silva and Tiago Nunes performed at the Zefirya Culture and Arts Center in Bitez.
Their four-hand piano project, "H4NDS DUO," developed during the 2019 pandemic, received a standing ovation. The festival will continue until Sept. 9, featuring various concerts and workshops by artists from across the globe.
The Gumusluk Festival Academy’s (GFA) masterclasses provide a platform for young musicians. This year, nine violin students aged 12 to 21 participated in a masterclass led by Kristof Barati and Erkin Onay.
After a week of intensive training, they performed a diverse repertoire at Toprak Ev on Gumusluk Beach. "These young talents have shown remarkable progress," said Onay.
French pianist Caroline Sageman will make her debut in Türkiye at the festival. She will perform a concert dedicated to the works of Polish composer Frederic Chopin on July 22 and teach piano masterclasses from July 21 to 30.
Other notable performances include American pianist Michael Okser Bulychev, British violinist Miriam Davis, and Turkish pianist Gülsin Onay on July 25, and cellist Poyraz Baltacigil with pianist Cem Esen on July 28.
The festival's "Suda" concerts at Gumusluk Festival Center offer a variety of musical genres, attracting a younger audience.
The lineup includes the Mats Eilertsen Trio from Norway, Turkish acts Cagil Kaya Sextet, and Bosnian/Spanish musician Miron Rafajlovic. These concerts take place under the stars, providing a unique experience for attendees.
For more information on the festival schedule and ticketing, visit the official website.
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