Turkish president, US senator see famed pianist perform

By Yildiz Nevin Gundogmus

ANKARA (AA) - A weekend concert by famed Turkish pianist Fazil Say in the Turkish capital Ankara had the distinguished audience of the nation’s president and a visiting U.S. senator.

Say’s Friday performance of the Troy Sonata and other pieces was met with a standing ovation and praise from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who lauded Say’s “genuinely unique performance.”

Saying he hoped to see the pianist perform more concerts in Ankara and Istanbul, Erdogan presented Say with a record from Asik Veysel, a famous Turkish folk musician and poet.

After meeting with Erdogan on Saturday, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham described Say’s concert as “one of the greatest experiences” of his life.

Graham had been specially invited to the event by the president.

Several other luminaries also attended the concert, including first lady Emine Erdogan, Vice President Fuat Oktay, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, and presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin.