Heidi Trautmann

808 - RECITAL 2015 – Rauf Kasimov and his piano students in Bellapais
9/15/2015


By Heidi Trautmann

It has become a tradition for many of us to follow the invitation for concerts of Rauf Kasimov’s piano students and we are always in for a surprise. I go there to see the progress the students make but also for sentimental reasons. Many of his students I have known from an age when they could hardly climb up the stool and who have now stepped out into the world studying at conservatoires and entrusting their education to others than Rauf Kasimov who has laid such a firm base with his sensitive way of working and teaching.

Only some days ago we learnt from the media that one his early students, Görsev Tepe, who has left Cyprus some years ago with her mother for America and has continued to study music at a conservatoire there, had become second at the 11th International Music Competition in New York.  http://mfa.gov.ct.tr/young-pianist-gorsev-tepe-was-2nd-in-the-competition-in-new-york/  It proves to me again, that only good teachers who bring with them the passion for their profession and subject can do the work of uncovering and developing talents that are there in a rough form. As Konfuzius says: The garden of a human being contains all the seeds in its soil, it depends on the gardener to develop the right ones.

 

On Sunday, September 13, ten of his students, among them some new talents, stepped on stage conveying a seriousness and quiet confidence and as soon as they sat down and concentrated, bowing the head, lifting the hands….in that very moment they became a new personality, the music they were starting to bring to life has taken possession of them. It is a strange phenomenon, a sort of metamorphosis.

Ten young people, the oldest 17 years of age, the youngest has just turned eight. I want to mention them by name:

Azra Say Ötün, born 2001 in America: she played W.A. Mozart, Fantasie d minor.

Nursel Hançer, born 2006 in Lefkoşa: she played J.Ferrie, Serenade Espagnole; I’m an old Cowhand (four hands with R.Kasimov); J. Kramer, Cowboy Song and O Sole Mio.

Helin Hersek, born in 2001 in Lefkoşa: she played F.Chopin Nocturne d minor and R.Leoncavallo, Aria ‘Vesti la giubba’ from Pagliacci.

Yaroslaw Kwiatkowski, born in 2000 in Moskow: he played L.v.Beethoven, Sonata op 49 no 2, part 1; I. Kramer, Up the hill (four hands with R. Kasimov).

Ece Acar, born in 2003 in Uzbekistan: she played L.v.Beethoven, Moonlight Sonata.

Onur Zaifoğlu, born in 2002 in Lefkoşa: he played L.v.Beethoven, For Elise and K.Veil, Mack the Knife.

Gökçen Mertoğlu, born in 1998 in Lefkoşa: She played F. Chopin: Fantasie Impromptu op 66.

Batu Özgün, born in 2000 in Lefkoşa: he played W.A. Mozart, Rondo Alla Turka.

Ipek Zorba, born in 1999 in England: She played F. Liszt, Liebesträume no. 3.

Suna Alsancak, born in 2007 in Lefkoşa; she played J.S. Bach, Prelude & Fugue c-moll and W.A.Mozart, Sonatina KV 213 (four hands with R.Kasimov).

 

Meral Akinci, the wife of HE Mustafa Akinci, embraced the kids with a smile and gave them their award and certificate of participation. What a beautiful and happy crowd, we all thought. Next to me I had grandmom and mom of Ipek Zorba and behind us her father, and they were all gleaming with pride. I turned around and saw the same joy and pride in many other faces and all their eyes said: We can be proud of our children. I smiled and had just the same feeling.

The lovely evening continued outside under the arches of the 14th century building with a reception and the guests had the opportunity to congratulate the young musicians. Little Suna in her white tulle dress and a rose in her long hair looked a bit lost among all the tall grownups talking down to her. Her little face with the heavy dark eyebrows looking seriously up at you; she has already won first prizes at competitions starting at the age of five and preparing for the next one in Tenerife.

Thank you Rauf Kasimov for taking care of this fantastic bunch of talents. May your hands be blessed, yours, and those of your students..

 

PS: There are some good recordings on the internet with youtube of the one and other student, so go and look for them and listen to their recitals. 


Azra Say Ötün
Azra Say Ötün





Nursel Hançer
Nursel Hançer





Helin Hersek
Helin Hersek


Yaroslaw Kwiatkowski
Yaroslaw Kwiatkowski





Ece Acar
Ece Acar





Batu here with Miriam Marancos some years ago (unfortunately the photo of this concert was blurred)
Batu here with Miriam Marancos some years ago (unfortunately the photo of this concert was blurred)


Onur Zaifoğlu
Onur Zaifoğlu


Gökşen Mertoğlu
Gökşen Mertoğlu





Ipek Zorba
Ipek Zorba





Suna Alsancak
Suna Alsancak



































Rauf said, that was after the concert....
Rauf said, that was after the concert....






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