Fazil Say. Photo courtesy of Shenzhen Concert Hall

Fazil Say, a Turkish pianist who has been captivating global audiences for more than 25 years, will give a piano recital for local fans next Wednesday.

At 16, Say impressed the late German composer Aribert Reimann, who was touring Ankara with American pianist David Levine, as "the boy who plays like a devil." He earned himself the opportunity to refine his skills as a classical pianist with Levine, first at the Robert Schumann Conservatory in Düsseldorf and later in Berlin. He also attended master classes with Menahem Pressler.

His effortless blend of refinement in Bach, Haydn, and Mozart, as well as virtuoso brilliance in the works of Liszt, Mussorgsky, and Beethoven, led to his victory at the Young Concert Artists international competition in New York in 1994. 

Since then, Say has performed with renowned American and European orchestras and leading conductors worldwide, building up a diverse repertoire ranging from Bach through the Viennese classics and the Romantics to contemporary music, including his own compositions.

A talented composer as well, Say has been commissioned to write music for prestigious institutions such as the Salzburg Festival, the Vienna Concert Hall, the Dresden Philharmonic, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and the BBC. His extensive oeuvre includes four symphonies, two oratorios, various solo concertos, and numerous works for piano and chamber ensembles.

What sets Say apart from other pianists is his dual identity as both performer and composer. He does not simply interpret classics, but rather "converses live with the works" from a composer's perspective. 

He believes that "music should always flow naturally as if it were improvised." Whether performing a Mozart sonata or a Debussy prelude, he infuses the work with improvisational vitality and narrative depth, making every note tell a story.

During Wednesday's concert, the audience will have the opportunity to hear Mozart's "Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K. 331," Claude Debussy's "Préludes" and "Clair de lune," as well as "Miroirs" by Maurice Ravel.

In the second half of the concert, Say will perform six pieces composed by himself, including two receiving their Chinese premieres. "The Little Black Fish" is a piece for children inspired by the story of the same name by Iranian author Samad Behrangi, while "İnsan İnsan Piano Variations" ponders on humanity's destiny.

Come to Shenzhen Concert Hall to experience the dazzling clash between classical rigor and the freedom of improvisation.

Tickets: 100-680 yuan

Time: 7:30 p.m., Oct. 28

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音乐厅)   

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children's Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit D