site.btaIzmir State Symphony Orchestra Thrills Bulgarian Audience

The Izmir State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gurer Aykal, thrilled the audience at Sofia's Bulgaria Hall with a concert on Saturday evening, held under the auspices of the Bulgarian Culture Ministry.

Turkish Ambassador to Bulgaria Mehmet Sait Uyanik and Bulgarian Culture Minister Nayden Todorov gave greetings addresses before the show.

The crowd was treated to works by Turkish composer Ulvi Cemal Erkin as well as Franz Liszt and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

The concert opened with Kocekce, one of the most popular works by Erkin, who was among the top five Turkish composers of the 20th century. Then came Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1, with a virtuoso performance by pianist Gokhan Aybulus.

After an almost one-hour performance of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, the concert ended to thunderous applause from the audience, who gave the musicians a standing ovation.

The show was organized by the Turkish Embassy in Bulgaria and the Sofia Philharmonic. It was held ahead of Republic Day in Turkiye, which is celebrated on October 29.