Music is a universal language enable people to communicate across cultural and linguistic boundaries. On Wednesday, April 10th, the Yunus Emre Institute invited over one hundred guests to enter the enchanting world of Turkish folk music at First Congregational United Church of Christ, Washington DC. This special concert “Miniatures” jointly organized by Turkish American Arts Society of New York (TAASNY)-- “The Soloists of New Manhattan Sinfonietta”. It opened up possibilities for people in DC area to hear the sounds of Turkey in the form of classic folk music and presented the beauty of Turkey more visible.

The concert “Miniatures” begun with solo violin “Horon”, the horon is a type of Turkish circle folk dance. This piece was composed by Ahmed Adnan Saygun, one of the leading musicians of “The Turkish Five”. “The Turkish Five” includes five great composers. Their works demonstrated mastery of Western musical practice, while also incorporating traditional Turkish folk songs and culture. These composers were considered as musical ambassadors between Turkey and Western countries. Necil Kazım Akses, the other member of “The Turkish Five”. His piece “Miniatures” also performed in the program. The piece has plain melodic and harmonic structures which are in essence and in form real miniatures. Other highlights of the concert were “Türk Marşı” “Elif Dedim Be Dedim”, and “Sarı Gelin”. The song “Sarı Gelin” by Balkan Türküsü is known as the Turkish Romeo and Juliet, has been enduringly popular in Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Iran. It is a legend of a love story between a Muslim boy and a Christian girl.

Audiences showed great enjoyment during the concert, leading with a fluid beat, walking with the musicians into a Turkish folk music world. “This is my first Turkish concert,” said by an audient Zaineb “I really like the diversity of the music, some of them were from western Turkey and some of them were from eastern Turkey. I truly loved every minute of it.” The concert definitely created a sensational night for the audiences to enjoy the uniqueness of Turkish music. “Breathtaking, elegant, filled with spirit. My favorite is Türk Marşı. Such a divine and sublime music” said by Chris West. Tonight was a night filled with joy and applause.

The artists in the “Miniatures” included Pianist Derin Öge, a faculty member at The State University of New York, Purchase Conservatory of Music. She always brings her own views to the music that she plays. Violinist Emre Engin has played as a soloist with numerous orchestras and has won many prizes at the major competitions. Yiğit Karataş, one of the most talented violinists, has performed with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra in Turkey. Gizem Yücel, a versatile concert violinist equally at home in many genres, from jazz, rock, and experimental to classical. Cellists Ezgi Yargici has performed in many countries including Canada, Belgium, China, and Turkey.

Yunus Emre Institute believes the concert “Miniatures” was a success. It provided a rare opportunity for audiences to enjoy some of the richest and most famous Turkish traditional pieces and let people celebrate the power of music which focus on our common humanity rather than the differences that set us apart.