CineMoon Ensemble members pose for a photograph in Kusadasi, Turkiye.
Kusadasi, Turkiye: Amid the mesmerising backdrop of Karvansaray in Kusadasi, the CineMoon Ensemble, a member of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO), has set ablaze the heart of Türkiye with the resounding success of their first series of concerts this year.
The grandeur of the historical venue, coupled with the Ensemble’s awe-inspiring performance, captivated a packed house and marked an evening of musical brilliance.
On August 20, the Ensemble graced the stage with a thematic concert titled, “All About Dance.” A captivating selection of 15 musical pieces, including masterpieces like Camille Saint-Saens’ “Danse Bacchanale” from “Samson and Delilah,” Georges Bizet’s enchanting “Habanera” from the opera “Carmen” performed by Mezzosoprano Eylul Elif Arslan from Istanbul University State Conservatory, and Bela Bartok’s lively “Romanian Folk Dances,” adorned the night with an aura of artistic fervour.
The programme didn’t stop at these classics; it journeyed through Grigoras Dinicu’s “Hora Martisorului,” Brahms’ evocative “Hungarian Dances”, Dmitrij Shostakovich’s “Waltz No. 2,” and more. The concert’s underlying theme centred around dance, spanning classical masterpieces to the passionate rhythms of the Tango.
Reflecting on the monumental evening, CineMoon Ensemble’s Founder and Artistic Director, Merve Kenet Bulun told The Peninsula: “Performing once again in Kusadasi holds a special place in our hearts. We are in Türkiye now, and the public recognises us as members of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. Previously, there was limited awareness about Qatar’s vibrant classical music landscape, a domain where the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra occupies a pivotal position.”
Bulun’s sentiments echo the cultural bridges being built by the Ensemble. She explained that the CineMoon Ensemble is a fusion of talents spanning Italy, Romania, France, Germany, Russia, and South Korea, and Spain which exemplifies the orchestra’s cosmopolitan essence.
“As a Turkish citizen and artist, people are very proud that a Turkish artist is representing their country in Qatar. It is such a cultural bond. And it is not only for me, CineMoon Ensemble, a member of QPO has members from Italy, Romania, France, Germany, Russia, South Korea, and Spain, to name some.”
She also said that “Qatar is poised to become the future hub of art and music. I take immense pride in being a part of this journey right from its inception.”
The open-air performance was an artistic spectacle, harmonising seamlessly with the historical milieu as Turkish locals and travellers converged to witness the symphonic extravaganza. The audience was transported through time, serenaded by the captivating blend of timeless classics and contemporary dance compositions.
CineMoon Ensemble Co-founder and Concertmaster, Lorena Manescu, said: “There is no greater joy for a musician than performing in front of a full house and being welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm. I feel privileged to have felt this joy at our concert in Kusadasi. The outdoor setting was beautiful and inspiring, and it invited all of us to open our hearts – musicians and audiences alike, and meet beyond cultures and geographical borders.”
QPO Principal Viola and Conductor of the concert, Giovanni Pasini, meanwhile, said that the engagement from the audience was palpable throughout the concert and that the connection between the musicians and the audience was strong and intense.
The compelling allure of CineMoon Ensemble is part of the Kusadasi Guvercinada Dinletileri programme, a collaboration between the KUSAV Foundation and Kuşadası Municipality. Levent Köylü, Chairman of the Board at KUSAV Foundation, lauded the Ensemble’s performance, noting that they had delivered an unforgettable evening to the captivated audience.
The splendid lineup of performers featured prominent members of the QPO, including Merve Kenet Bulun as Artistic Director and Violist, Giovanni Pasini as Conductor and Principal Viola, Lorena Manescu as Concertmaster, Kirill Bogatyrev as Co-Principal Cello, German Diaz Blanco as Principal Oboe, Jihoon Shin as Co-Principal Flute, and Mariya Medvedeva, former member of the Violin Section.
Accompanying them were Eylul Elif Arslan, Mezzosoprano from Istanbul University State Conservatory, the narrator and soloist and Hacer Ozlu, Co-Principal Contrabass of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra. As the applause from the first series of concerts echoes, anticipation mounts for the Ensemble’s second performance on August 24.
Titled “The Seventh Art and Music,” the event promises to recapture the triumph they achieved late last year at the Qatar National Library.
It will feature renditions from cinematic masterpieces like “The Godfather,” “Harry Potter,” “Aladdin,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Back to the Future,” and “James Bond,” among others.
