A deep breath of classics on the eve of spring

İş Sanat continues to be the frequent destination of art lovers with exclusive concerts by musical prodigies and local artists as well as poetry readings and children's musicals in February.

Legendary pianist Martha Argerich to take the stage with the company of Kremerata Baltica

İş Sanat proudly announces that the doyen of the classical music world, Argentinian pianist Martha Argerich, takes the stage at İş Sanat as part of its carefully prepared 16th season program. Born in exotic Buenos Aires, Argerich began playing the piano at the age of five and found herself in the spotlight after winning the Chopin Piano Competition in 1964 in Warsaw. She won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance with an Orchestra with a record where she played the 2nd and 3rd piano concertos of Beethoven with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra led by maestro Claudio Abbado, along with prestigious awards from Gramophone, Choc and BBC Music Magazine. Known for her expertise in piano literature of the 19th and 20th centuries, Argerich has a large repertoire that includes Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, Liszt, Debussy, Ravel and Barto.

On the other hand, the musical ensemble Kremerata Baltica, co-founded by Argerich and world-renewed Latvian violin virtuoso Gidon Kremer in 1997, has given more than 1,500 concerts in 50 countries and toured all of Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas, turning into an international brand in chamber music. The ensemble also won a Grammy Award and the ECHO Klasik Award for its 2001 album "After Mozart." Kremerata Baltica will accompany Argerich on Feb. 5 at İş Sanat.

Award winning pianist Anna Vinnitskaya and Cameristi Della Scala offer a night full of music

İş Sanat hosts the shining star of classical music, Russian pianist Anna Vinnitskaya. Coming from a family of musicians, Vinnitskaya received her first piano lessons from her mother at the age of eight and gave her first recital at the age of nine. The elegant pianist won the International Queen Elizabeth Piano Competition in 2007 in Brussels and the Leonard Bernstein Award at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival in 2008. The Russian pianist has also received the Diapason d'Or Award and the Choc du Mois Award from Classica Magazine with her debut album featuring compositions by Rachmaninov, Gubaidulina, Medtner and Prokofiev. During her performance at İş Sanat, Vinnitskaya will be accompanied by Cameristi Della Scala. Founded by musicians of the La Scala Orchestra in 1982, the ensemble has a rich repertoire, featuring compositions from the 18th century to modern day. The orchestra is known for its colorful and delicate style performed in the most prestigious music halls around the world, such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Salle Gaveau in Paris, the Warsaw Opera Hall, the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow and the Coliseum in Buenos Aires. The ensemble and Vinnitskaya will present a large repertoire to Istanbulites, performing compositions by Bach, Respighi, Rossini and Bossi on Feb. 11.

Baroque feast for the ears by mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter and Les Musiciens Du Louvre

Winner of prestigious awards such as the International Record Critics' Award, Grammy and Diaspason d'Or, Anne Sofie von Otter, who is considered one of the best musicians of her generation, meets the orchestra Les Musicien du Louvre, which is conducted by Thibault Noally. So far, von Otter has shared the stage with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle, the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Alan Gilbert, the Washington National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Christoph Eschenbach and many others. She is one of the most-sought soloists of the opera stage thanks to her rich repertoire, ranging from classics to modern compositions. Famous for her performance as Octavian in Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier," the mezzo-soprano has also collaborated with pop star Elvis Costello and well-known jazz pianist Brad Mehldau. The incredible concert, conducted by Noally, who has performed with Cecilia Bartoli, Anne Sofie von Otter, Philippe Jaroussky and Jennifer Larmore, will mesmerize music lovers on Feb. 23.

The prince of Flamenco comes to Turkey for the first time

İş Sanat's first guest in its World Music Series will be the Prince Charming of Flamenco, Miguel Poveda. Born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, Poveda began singing and dancing while accompanying his sister Sonia Poveda in the Flamenco clubs of Catalonia at the age of 15. After he won the grand prize at the Festival Nacional del Cante de las Minas, Poveda made a breakthrough in his career. He became widely recognized thanks to his role in Bigas Lunas' film, "La Teta y la Luna" and his debut album, "Viento del Este." He reached a large fan base with 11 studio albums and numerous world tours. The artist, who has collaborated with Flamenco giants such as Enrique Morente, Carmen Linares, Paco de Lucia, Eva Yerbabuena and Tomatito, has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Wiener Koncerthaus. Those who do not want to miss Poveda's amazing performance can see him on Feb. 26.

Young stars shine at Milli Reasürans

A few years ago, İş Sanat initiated the Shining Stars series at Milli Reasürans to support young musicians and help them to gain stage experience. Clarinetist Utku Çetin and violinist Irmak Ülke will be the guests of Shining Stars in February. During a concert on Feb. 8, Çetin will perform compositions by Rossini, Baermann, Weber, Widor and Monti, while Ülke will perform Tchaikovsky, Ysaye and Franck. The Shining Stars concerts are free of charge.