Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Turkey

Birth

:

January 14, 1970 in Ankara, Turkey

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Fazil Say is a Turkish pianist and composer who has gained international recognition for his virtuosic performances and innovative compositions. Born on January 14, 1970, in Ankara, Turkey, Say showed an early aptitude for music and began playing the piano at the age of four. He was soon recognized as a prodigy and began studying at the Ankara State Conservatory, where he was mentored by the renowned pianist Mithat Fenmen. Say's talent continued to flourish, and he won numerous awards and competitions throughout his youth. In 1987, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf, Germany, where he studied with David Levine. He later continued his studies at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Zwickau, Germany, where he studied with Karl-Heinz Kämmerling. Say's career as a performer began to take off in the 1990s, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most exciting and dynamic pianists of his generation. He has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has also collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors, including Zubin Mehta, Lorin Maazel, and Daniel Barenboim. In addition to his career as a performer, Say is also an accomplished composer. He has written works for solo piano, chamber ensembles, and orchestra, and his music has been performed by many of the world's leading musicians. His compositions are known for their innovative use of Turkish folk music and their incorporation of elements of jazz and other popular music styles. Say's career has been marked by many highlights and achievements. In 1994, he won the Young Concert Artists International Auditions in New York, which helped to launch his international career. In 2001, he was awarded the prestigious International Beethoven Prize for Human Rights, Peace, Freedom, Poverty Reduction, and Inclusion. In 2012, he was awarded the Echo Klassik Award for his recording of Mozart's Piano Concertos Nos. 20 and 21. Despite his many achievements, Say's career has not been without controversy. In 2012, he was charged with insulting religious values in Turkey after he posted a message on Twitter that was critical of Islam. He was later acquitted of the charges, but the incident sparked a debate about freedom of expression in Turkey. Throughout his career, Say has remained committed to promoting classical music and expanding its reach to new audiences. He has worked with many educational institutions and organizations to promote music education and has been a vocal advocate for the importance of music in society. His innovative compositions and virtuosic performances have earned him a place among the most important classical musicians of his generation.

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