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A candlelit symphonic concert in Istanbul brought together rising violinist Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev and the Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, highlighting Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to sustain and promote polyphonic classical music.
The concert took place at the Ataturk Cultural Center, one of Istanbul’s leading cultural venues, where the stage was illuminated by 3,000 candles as part of the “Mum Isiginda Senfonik Gala,” or “Symphonic Gala by Candlelight.” The visual setting shaped the atmosphere of the evening, placing the performance within an intimate yet formal concert experience.
In the first half of the program, Ganiyev appeared as a soloist with the orchestra, performing the Violin Concerto in D minor by Jean Sibelius. The work is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding pieces in the violin repertoire, and it sets the tone for the evening’s focus on major symphonic works.
Under the direction of conductor Orcun Orcunsel, the orchestra carried the program into its second half with Scheherazade Op. 35, composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. The piece, considered one of the composer’s best-known works, brought a narrative-driven orchestral dimension to the concert.
Before the performance, Istanbul Philharmonic Association board chairman Atilla Tuna addressed the audience, emphasizing the organization’s long-standing mission. He said they had been working for decades to preserve and promote polyphonic music in Türkiye, adding, “We are striving to keep polyphonic music alive in Türkiye. Tonight, we are sharing a tangible example of our efforts.”
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