Fazıl Say: Bach’s Goldberg Variations
A chance to experience the extraordinary gifts of this renowned pianist and composer in a selection of his own works alongside music by Bach.
Controversial to some, hailed as a genius by others, there is nothing ordinary about Fazıl Say. Describing himself as ‘pianist, composer and citizen of the world’, he has a musical voice that inhabits a sphere of its own.
His works are variously influenced by the folk music and history of his native Turkey, the cutting edge of contemporary jazz and the great traditions of Romanticism’s solo piano music.
The concert opens with Bach’s Goldberg Variations, a work that presents the performer with innumerable challenges as he makes its brilliance and flair his own.
The second half of the evening is dedicated to a selection of Say’s own compositions.
Performers
Fazıl Say piano
Repertoire
Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV.998
Interval
Fazıl Say: Piano Sonata (Yeni Hayat) (New life), Op.99; Nazim, Op.12 No.1; Ses, Op.40b; Kara Toprak (Black earth), Op.8; Paganini Jazz (Variations on Caprice No.24 in the style of modern jazz), Op.5c
Need to know
Find out more about the music with our free programme.
View the programme
Reviews
‘Mr Say brought improvisatory freedom and vivid colorings to this harmonically misty, elegiac and restless music’ The New York Times
‘A composer who has achieved cult status in his native Turkey and who has a growing international reputation … thoughtful and original with some extremely innovative ideas’MusicWeb International
For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
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