What this is
Fazil Say — one of Turkey's most celebrated classical pianists and a composer in his own right — performs a solo recital pairing two of the Western canon's most beloved keyboard works with his own composition. The programme moves from Bach's Goldberg Variations through Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 11 (culminating in the famous Turkish March) to Say's percussive, jazz-inflected Black Earth, a piece that has become something of a signature for him. It is a rare chance to hear a world-class recitalist tackle music that spans three centuries in a single sitting.
Who should go
Classical music lovers and anyone curious about how a composer-pianist reinterprets the standard repertoire through their own creative lens. The Goldberg Variations alone draw serious listeners, but Say's Black Earth gives the evening crossover appeal for fans of contemporary and world-influenced piano music.
Good to know
Tickets are most reliably purchased through eplus.jp or pia.jp, both of which accept foreign credit cards; choose convenience store pickup at Lawson or FamilyMart to avoid delivery complications. Daiichi Seimei Hall (Hibiya) and Sumitomo Life Izumi Hall (Osaka-based, so confirm the Tokyo date's specific venue carefully) are seated concert halls with relatively intimate capacities — expect a quiet, attentive audience where any noise will be noticeable. Arrive early: doors typically open 30–45 minutes before curtain and latecomers are held in the lobby until the first interval. The programme is substantial — the Goldberg Variations alone run around 70–80 minutes depending on interpretation — so the full recital with Black Earth and the Mozart could exceed two hours including an interval. Cash is generally accepted at venue box offices, but card payment is increasingly available at major Tokyo halls.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.