Pianist Fazıl Say removes works from Culture Ministry's Symphony Orchestra

Internationally acclaimed Turkish pianist and composer Fazıl Say has had three pieces removed from the program of the Culture and Tourism Ministry’s Presidential Symphony Orchestra (CSO) in the new season.

The ministry had sought to replace Say’s pieces with works by another famous Turkish composer, Muammer Sun. However, Sun refused the request to play his works, in reaction to the ministry's decision against Say.

Delivering a message on his social media account, Say expressed his thanks to Sun's "human lesson."

“I express my respect and sincere thanks to Muammer Sun. He is a gentle person; honest and brave. My works had been replaced with his works, but he refused to allow them to be played. He did not allow himself and his art to be a political tool. He has taught music for years and now he has taught them how to be human. I thank him. Bravo.”

The program that CSO had sent to the ministry included Say’s “Istanbul Symphony,” “Hermiyas – The Boy on the Dolphin’s Back” and the piano concerto “Water.” In a concert in November, to be conducted by Rengim Gökmen, Say’s “Istanbul Symphony” was set to be played. Two other works were set to be performed at a concert to be conducted by Naci Özgüç at the ATO Congresium in Ankara in May.

Before the opening concert, the CSO was warned that its new season’s program would not be approved by Culture Minister Ömer Çelik unless it removed Say’s works. The orchestra subsequently made the change and received approval from the ministry.