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The Istanbul State Opera and Ballet (IDOB) began its 2026-2027 arts season with a concert featuring Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.
Speaking at the opening of the concert, conductor Ibrahim Yazici noted that next year marks the 200th anniversary of Beethoven's death.
"Unfortunately, the composer's 250th birthday could only be celebrated halfheartedly because of the pandemic. We hope to make up for that next year. We are opening our new season now with Beethoven's monumental Ninth Symphony," he said.
Drawing attention to the fact that the work was composed between 1822 and 1824, when Beethoven had completely lost his hearing, Yazici also touched on debates about artificial intelligence and creativity in music during his speech.
Pointing out that there are differing views on whether artificial intelligence can compose, Yazici discussed the debate through Beethoven's unfinished 10th Symphony.
Reminding the audience that Beethoven's works have been uploaded to artificial intelligence in attempts to complete the 10th Symphony, Yazici said: "If Beethoven had left the Ninth Symphony unfinished and the rest of the work had been created by uploading his first eight symphonies to artificial intelligence, could it have thought of using a chorus in the final movement? I think not. Because this is not just about working from existing data but about showing new and original creativity."
Noting that the fourth movement (the final section) of the work depicts "the struggle of good against evil," Yazici said percussion instruments, such as drums and cymbals, come to the fore in this struggle.
Explaining that this movement is also known as the "Turkish March," a style of European music inspired by Ottoman military bands, Yazici said the approach from afar of the Ottoman army, the military of the Ottoman Empire and one of the most powerful armies of its time, is depicted especially through the use of percussion instruments.
At the concert, conductor Ibrahim Yazici led the IDOB Orchestra, while conductor Paolo Villa led the IDOB Chorus. Soprano Dilruba Bilgi, mezzo-soprano (mid-range female voice) Aylin Ates, tenor Berk Dalkilic, and bass Burak Bilgili performed as soloists.
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