Venezuela Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra

Haliç Congress Centre, Sütlüce

Founder of the inspirational "El Sistema", José Antonio Abreu, and Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, under the baton of world-renowned Gustavo Duadamel was in Istanbul in August, for a series of events.

Gustavo Dudamel, young and talented conductor who was educated in El Sistema, started his career by playing violin in El Sistema. When he was 23, he drew public attention by winning the International Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition. He was accepted as one of the best conductors in the world, with his amazing energy.

Before the concerts that took place on 8 and 9 of August in Haliç Congress Center, the Caracas Brass Ensemble and Atalaya Percussion Ensemble, both formed of the members of the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, performed free concerts in Galata Square. The non governmental organizations that are similar to El Sistema in educating kids and teenagers with music, has performed in these concerts as well. There was also a free screening of the movie To Play and To Fight for those who were interested in understanding the aspects of El Sistema. In addition to the concerts, José Antonio Abreu, had a debate with the participation of Yeliz Yalın Baki (Music For Peace), Cihat Aşkın (CAKA), Süher Pekinel (Orff-Schulwerk Project) and Feyzi Erçin (Member of Istanbul Music Festival Advisory Comitee) about how to launch a similar system in Turkey.

Before the first concert of Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela which was held in August 8, the chairman of IKSV, Bulent Eczacıbaşı, presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to José Antonio Abreu. Later on, Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra performed Hamlet: Fantasy Overture after Shakespeare, in F minor, Op.67, Romeo and Juliet: Fantasy Overture after Shakespeare, The Tempest: Symphonic Fantasy after Shakespeare, in F minor, Op.18, Francesca da Rimini: Symphonic Fantasy after Dante, Op.32 from Tchaikovsky. Orchestra performed Daphnis ve Chloé from Ravel, Santa Cruz de Pacairigua from Castellano, Symphony, No.2, "Sinfonia India" from Chávez, Firebird Suite (1919) from Stravinsky on August 9.

IKSV, thanks to the donations of music lovers, hosted children from Istanbul in the concert of Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela for two days. Childrens from various non-govermental organizations had the opportunity to watch this amazing concerts.