The Library of Sound
Çukurova State
Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Orchestra
Across the course of his career, Israeli pianist Saleem Ashkar has made a name for himself as one of the most talented pianists active within the contemporary music world. Since making his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 22, the pianist, who holds the position of Artistic Director of the Galilee Chamber Orchestra, has performed at many of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Wiener Philharmoniker, London Symphony, Deutsche Symphonie Orchester Berlin, and Royal Concertgebouw. Now, on Wednesday 15th February 2023, he will be coming to Dubai, for a concert at the spectacular Coca-Cola Arena. Joining him will be the Çukurova State Symphony Orchestra (Turkey) , in their last appearance at this edition of the InClassica International Music Festival, who will be led by the acclaimed conductor Valid Agayev (Azerbaijan/Turkey).
Cukurova State Symphony Orchestra which was established under Directorate General of Fine Arts of Culture and Tourism Ministry of Republic of Turkey is the fourth Symphony Orchestra which was established following Presidential Symphony Orchestra (CSO), İstanbul State Symphony Orchestra (İDSO) and İzmir State Symphony Orchestra (izDSO). Our Orchestra was officially established in 1988 and firstly started its working at the end of 1991 with a very small staff consisting 17 people under the direction of Emin Güven YAŞLIÇAM who was the General Director of Music and Conductor of the orchestra. It gave its first concert in 1992, on the 5th January which was the day celebrated as the celebration day of Adana for liberation from the enemy occupation.
After that, orchestra expanded its musician staff through examinations which were conducted in the following years. Moreover, it still sustains its concerts with the assistance of the guest musicians from other Symphony Orchestras, Opera and Ballet Orchestras and State Orchestras also with the contribution of Cukurova Philharmonic Association. In addition to this kind of works, Willy Claes who is Secretary General of NATO and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium conducted the Orchestra in the first part of a special concert. With the assistance of Adana 6th Corps Command, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture was vocalized in Open Air Theater of Cukurova University accompanied by real cannon shots.
Cukurova State Symphony Orchestra has had lots of domestic and foreign tours since its foundation. Some of these destinations are Tarsus, İskenderun, Diyarbakır, Malatya, Trabzon, Mersin, Gaziantep, Antalya, Ancient Theatre of Aspendos, Ankara, istanbul, Cyprus, Syria, Germany and Japan. During Japan tour, Tchaikovsky's 1st Piano Concerto and 5th Symphony was recorded in CD.
It carefully organizes its concert schedule every season and carries out its works in order to promote polyphonic universal music to Adana public. Moreover; many music pieces are vocalized for the first time in Turkey and in the world.
Between 2000 and 2006, it organized concerts regularly to the domestic and foreign tourists in May and September in Antalya Aspendos Open Air Theater. It also still organizes such special concerts as "Memorial of Hacı Sabancı" concert for Adana audience.
Cukurova State Symphony Orchestra carries out its concerts under the light of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's idea of "CULTURE IS THE BASIS OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY" in order to be in His running.
