Lunchtime Recital - Hakan A. Toker, piano & organ.

Guest artists:

Ezgi Ergün, Cello

Yiğit A. Onat, Cello

Programme:

Hybrid Study no. 1 Bach / Chopin / Toker

Hybrid Study no. 7 ("My Fair Aeolian Harp") Chopin / Loewe / Toker

5-6-1980 H. A. Toker

Annie's Waltz H. A. Toker

Ozan & Ebru H. A. Toker

D & B's Rag H. A. Toker

Improvisation on a date to be suggested by one member of the audience

Improvisation combining two themes to be suggested by two members of the audience

Improvisation on notes to be suggested by separate members of the audience (on the organ)

Turkish Medley (on the organ)

Biographies

Hakan Ali Toker is a Turkish pianist-composer who often specializes in bringing together the East and West in his creations. He holds a double bachelor's degree in piano and composition from Indiana University, USA (2000). Jazz, ethnic music and various forms of improvisation are among his areas of expertise.

Up to date, Toker has performed in 30 countries, recorded 14 solo albums, many singles and many ensemble albums. Among his awards are "Performer of the Year" (Global Music Awards, USA) and "Our Living Values" (Mersin Cultural Festival, Turkey).

He is the first person to utilize microtonal tuning in piano recitals of Turkish traditional music. He created the first fully microtonal symphony orchestra (Turkish Rhapsody, 2022) combining the Turkish makam system with Western polyphony to a full capacity never achieved before on stage.

He is the author of the book "Traditional Turkish Music for Piano" (Müzik Eğitimi Publications) featuring his arrangements for piano students. He is one of few remaining pianists of the Lisztian tradition that continue the 19th century art of classical improvisation on the stage. His output as a composer and arranger encompasses over 500 works in many styles including Western classical, jazz, Turkish and electronic music as well as eclectic works combining these styles into unique concoctions; written for all kinds of media ranging from solo instruments to symphonic and stage music.