Newsletters
The Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra (IDSO) opened its 2026-2027 concert season at the Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM) in Istanbul, bringing together works by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg and Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev under the direction of British conductor Duncan Ward.
Held as part of the IDSO DenizBank Concerts series, the opening performance featured Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki as soloist, alongside a program highlighting two major works from the classical repertoire.
Lisiecki performed Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16, during the first part of the concert, while the orchestra returned for the second half to perform Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5, Op. 100.
The event also brought together representatives from Türkiye's cultural institutions and DenizBank, which has supported the orchestra for more than two decades.
Speaking at the opening, Omer Faruk Belviranli, director general of Fine Arts at Türkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, highlighted the role of state symphony orchestras in introducing polyphonic music, a form of music featuring multiple independent melodic lines, to broader audiences.
Belviranli said the genre required extensive discipline, dedication, and patience, while emphasizing that state orchestras had played a major role in developing public appreciation for classical music.
He also recalled that the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra's foundations were laid under the leadership of Turkish composer Cemal Resit Rey, noting its contributions to Türkiye's musical heritage through internationally recognized performers and award-winning young musicians and artists it has helped develop.
IDSO Director Aycan Kucukozkan said the orchestra would continue bringing international musical heritage to audiences while contributing to Türkiye's cultural and artistic life through its established history and artistic experience.
She also thanked the performers, staff and audiences who supported the opening of the new season.
Meanwhile, DenizBank Brand and Communications Group Director Esra Suzme highlighted accessibility as a central principle of the bank's cultural sponsorship activities.
Suzme said the bank sought to make artistic experiences available to wider sections of society, particularly younger generations, and described polyphonic music as an important cultural achievement of the Turkish Republic.
She added that DenizBank had worked alongside the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra for more than 20 years to support that goal.
Belviranli also pointed to the significance of hosting the opening concert at the Ataturk Cultural Center, describing the venue, named after the founder of the Turkish Republic, as an important setting for the orchestra and its audiences.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
