Ömür Savaş Unç, a 23-year-old contrabass player in the Turkish Armenian Youth Orchestra, said there was no need to amplify a problem which did not exist. The group performed with other young musicians on July 16 in Istanbul.
More than 65 young Turkish and Armenian musicians were vigorously applauded at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall after their performance, which was conducted by well-known classical music figures Nvart Andreassian and Cem Mansur.
Unç told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review after the orchestra’s performance on Friday that young musicians, selected from conservatories throughout Turkey and Armenia, had passed 12 very pleasant days together, learning more about their respective countries’ histories and people.
“We realized that everything is just a matter of politics and that there are no barriers among young people,” he said, adding that he could define this concert as a step forward that the two sister-countries have taken together.
“Such a beautiful environment can only be achieved only through classical music, despite the tension and political crisis between two countries,” Anıl Nural, a young flutist of the orchestra, told the Daily News, adding that they were all happy for the new friendships created. He said that they would go to Armenia this September, but this time not only to perform but also to meet their good Armenian friends.
Gizem Meriç Kılıç, a 19-year-old flutist from Ankara, said that once the ice of the first days had melted, all the young musicians became very good friends with each other, exchanging experiences and teaching each other their mother tongues.
Takhuhi Zaman, mother of two musical boys –a pianist and a violinist –told the Daily News that she had experienced great emotion while listening to the young, talented musicians, which heralded an important message for both countries. “I have been coming to concerts since this concert hall was opened, but never been so overwhelmed,” she said.
Manuel and Aravni Pamokdijan, an Armenian couple, grandparents of seven nephews and nieces from the Armenian diaspora in France, told the Daily News that they had been extremely touched by the concert, after seeing all those young people’s wonderful performances of the violin, cello and all the other instruments.
They said that they had also seen a similar Palestinian–Israeli orchestra in Paris as well, and that they had assisted a Turkish photographer, Atilla Durak, open an exhibition in Lyon, France.
“We will bring this exhibition to Yerevan next year,” Manuel said, adding that they wished things would keep advancing positively and that although there was still much to do, the concert was a great step.
“We are loyal supporters of this movement,” he said.
