BSO: “Tribute to Atatürk and the Martyrs,” Bilkent Concert Hall, 8PM November 2

Monday, 2 November 2015, 8:00 p.m.
Tribute to Atatürk and the Martyrs

Matthew Coorey, conductor
Asude Karayavuz, mezzo-soprano
Tuncay Kurtoğlu, bass
Composers: Yiğit Aydın, Mahir Cetiz, Recep Gül, Füsun Köksal, Turgut Pöğün, Onur Türkmen, Tolga Yayalar
Narrators: İrem Aydın, Mert Yavuzcan
Project Director: Nusret İspir
Curator and Assembler: Hasan Ali Karasar

Our Sons-Gallipoli

For the centennial anniversary of the Battle of Çanakkale, Bilkent Symphony Orchestra and Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall have jointly commissioned eight Turkish composers to write new works for Bilkent Symphony Orchestra with singers and narrators. The work was premiered last April at Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall. Now it is coming to the BSO Stage to meet with the Ankara audience.

Encompassing a variety of themes from Troy to World War I, from the memories and letters of soldiers to the visits of Australians, presented by a mezzo-soprano, baritone, and narrators, all the works in the project convey but a single message: The indescribable suffering endured by all in the Battle of Çanakkale and the transformation of this battle into a symbol of peace and reconciliation in its aftermath. This spirit was best summarized by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in his following words:

“Those heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives… You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost
their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.”

http://www.biletiva.com/event/G2300
Tel: 0.312.2901775
http://bso.bilkent.edu.tr
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