By Heidi Trautmann

Without music, life would be a mistake, said Nietzsche. And how right he is.

Not only for the music lovers but also for the doers, the musicians, composers, dancers, the entire music world; music is conversation, communication.

After so many months of abstinence, Bellapais opened its doors for a first concert, strictly according to the corona rules. Nihat Ağdaç, violin and Rami Sarieddine, piano, came to play for us compositions by Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770, Italy ), Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827, Germany) and JoaquinTurina (1882-1949, Spain).

The programme

Guiseppe Tartini (1692-1770) Sonata for Violin & Piano in g minor, B.g10 “Didone Abbandonata” -Moderato -Allegro -Largo -Presto non troppi Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Romance for Violin & Orchestra/Piano in G Major, No. 1, Op.40 Joaquin Turina (1882-1949) Sonata in G Major for Violin & Piano, “Spanish” No.2, Op.82 -Lento (Tema - Variations 1-3 - Andante) -Vivo -Adagio (Allegro Moderato)

Three composers of music pieces - the concert started with the oldest - composed over the span of 200 years in three different countries, emotional and passionate. Nihat Ağdaç, violin, and Rami Sarieddine, piano, have interpreted the music brilliantly. We all know Nihat Ağdaç from the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, as founder member and concert master, also of the bi-communal Cyprus Chamber Orchestra;  I have also enjoyed his performance with other ensembles.  Rami Sarieddine, an active performer throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Arabian Peninsula, currently maintains an active schedule as a collaborative pianist, chamber musician and music educator.  I took this information from his website, as I have not met him before; perhaps the bond between the two musicians is the love for chamber music.

As the applause would not end – I think we could have easily continued sitting and enjoying the music for another hour – we were given an Encore. It was the first and last concert in Bellapais in the year of Corona 2020, Halil Kalgay said, and for us it was a bitterly needed cup of consolation.