Turkish pianist and composer Fazıl Say is one of a rare breed of exceptional musicians and crossover artists. He studied the piano in Ankara, Düsseldorf and Berlin. His talent as a composer was promoted early on by his first piano teacher Mithat Fenmen, who encouraged the young Fazıl Say to start his piano practice every day with improvisations on everyday themes.
His piano playing is characterized by virtuosity and temperament, wilfulness and assertiveness, as well as exceptional musicality and a broad musical horizon. His intensive interpretations can sometimes be rather unconventional. His composition style is influenced by a mix of classical and oriental music with elements of jazz.
Fazıl Say won first prize in the Young Concert Artists international auditions in New York. This led to engagements with all the major American and European orchestras and numerous renowned conductors, interpreting a broad repertoire of works ranging from Johann Sebastian Bach via the Classical and Romantic periods to contemporary music, including own compositions for the piano.
He has been ›Artist in Residence‹ at the Konzerthaus Dortmund, the Konzerthaus Berlin, at the Schleswig-Holstein Festival, the Hamburger Elbphilharmonie concerts and the Paris Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.
Born and raised in the Australian state of Queensland, Glenn Christensen is now a sought after soloist, chamber musician and guest soloist, both at home and abroad. Since 2020 he has been deputy concert master and leader of the 2nd violins with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, before which he was a full-time member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Between 2012 and 2014, he was first violin with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. In the 2023 season, this violinist will make guest appearances as leader of the 2nd violins with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks and as deputy concert master of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
In addition, Glenn Christensen has also appeared many times as soloist with the Deutschen Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. His performances have been broadcast live on ABC Classic FM. In addition, this musician has received a number of accolades including the Conservatorium Medal, the Music Medal and the University medal – and is also the first to receive all three awards. He has won the Kendall National Violin Competition and, as a member of the Lyrebird Trio, he also won the audience prize and the Piano Trio prize at the Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition. In 2018, Glenn Christensen founded a successful annual music festival in his hometown – the Mackay Chamber Music Festival.
Turkish pianist and composer Fazıl Say is one of a rare breed of exceptional musicians and crossover artists. He studied the piano in Ankara, Düsseldorf and Berlin. His talent as a composer was promoted early on by his first piano teacher Mithat Fenmen, who encouraged the young Fazıl Say to start his piano practice every day with improvisations on everyday themes.
His piano playing is characterized by virtuosity and temperament, wilfulness and assertiveness, as well as exceptional musicality and a broad musical horizon. His intensive interpretations can sometimes be rather unconventional. His composition style is influenced by a mix of classical and oriental music with elements of jazz.
Fazıl Say won first prize in the Young Concert Artists international auditions in New York. This led to engagements with all the major American and European orchestras and numerous renowned conductors, interpreting a broad repertoire of works ranging from Johann Sebastian Bach via the Classical and Romantic periods to contemporary music, including own compositions for the piano.
He has been ›Artist in Residence‹ at the Konzerthaus Dortmund, the Konzerthaus Berlin, at the Schleswig-Holstein Festival, the Hamburger Elbphilharmonie concerts and the Paris Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.