Spotlight: Fazil Say & Serenad Bağcan

Fazil Say and Serenad Bağcan

The Ankara-born jack-of-all-trades Fazil Say can be heard in many programs this season as a soloist and as a chamber music partner. He is a pianist and composer and loves improvisation. In his work, Say combines Eastern music with Western music and jazz, thus forging diverse musical cultures into a whole. Say: 'I try to build a bridge between different cultures, and I want to make that heard in Amsterdam.' He has invited the Turkish singer Serenad Bağcan for the final concert in his Spotlight series.

Says Turkish songs

Fazil Say can often be found on stage with Serenad Bağcan, in Turkey and abroad. Bağcan has an alto voice, "but don't expect a classical or operatic sound," says Say. 'She sings my songs in Turkish, with a real Turkish background. She expresses the soul of the Turkish poetry I have set to music.'

With thanks to the patrons of Concertgebouw Connects.