Although Turkish composer and pianist Fazil Say often showcases his own compositions in concert, this is the first time that he has assembled his piano compositions together on disc.

Following the tradition of composers such as Bartók, Enescu and Ligeti, many of Say’s works contain vivid allusions to the musical folklore of his roots – Turkey and Anatolia (eg Elegy of Old Istanbul and Gypsy Girl from his Fantasy Pieces op.2, and Black Earth). Also included are his jazz variations of famous classical works, including Nietzsche und Wagner and Paganini Jazz.

“The piano pieces you are about to listen to in this CD and which I have been performing throughout my professional career, truly represent a ‘pianist’s piano music.’ There are also some vivid allusions to Turkey and Anatolia. In my younger days, I was also extremely fond of composing jazz variations of famous classical works, and we have included a few examples here. Throughout the years, I have always made a point of playing these pieces in my concerts, sometimes as an ‘encore piece’, sometimes as part of a themed performance or even as an ‘adaptation.’ Music connoisseurs who know me also know many of these works.

Film-maker and writer Andrei Tarkovsky made an observation which I greatly admire: ‘Art is born out of an ill-designed world.’ So here are some humble examples as my attempt to explain a life through music. This is the first time I have assembled these pieces, some well-known, some not so familiar, together in one album.” - Fazil Say