Old and New, East and West come together in a celebration of musical excellence

25.06.2008. Last night, the courtyards and grounds of Istanbul’s Archeological Museum played host to an unforgettable evening of musical entertainment as a celebration of classical and contemporary music kick-started the 36th International Istanbul Music Festival, supported by the Altimo Foundation.

Under the direction of Lukasz Borowicz, and led by Leonid Chizhik – widely acclaimed as the greatest Russian Jazz Pianist – the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra delighted the audience with scores as diverse as George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris,” the “West Side Story Suite, Symphonic Dances,” “Shostakovich’s Jazz Suite, No.2” and a memorable performance of Mozart’s “Fantasy Variations on a Theme.”

At a reception to welcome the assembled audience of prominent persons and press, Altimo Foundation CEO, Kirill Babaev, delivered an opening address in both Turkish and English. During that welcome, Mr Babaev said:

“This is not the first time Altimo Foundation has sponsored cultural events in Turkey. Late last year we were proud to be associated with a celebration of Melevi culture, sponsoring an exhibition entitled "Dervishes of Sovereignty, Sovereignty of Dervishes, the Mevlevi Order in Istanbul" at the Istanbul Research Institute. Tonight, we are proud to introduce a little Russian culture to these Turkish shores in the shape of Leonid Chizhik: one of Russia’s most famous jazz pianists and most accomplished musicians.”

Altimo Foundation Chairman, Mike Moore, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, and former Director General of the WTO, added his welcome to the assembled guests:

“I am very excited by what we as a Foundation can achieve. The importance of communication between the cultures, particularly East and West, has never been so important. I am particularly pleased to be associated with an evening such as this which celebrates musical excellence – a means of expression that transcends cultural boundaries.”

Finally, Leonid Chizhik shared his feelings with the guests:

“The impulse and approval are very important things for an artist. We look for the appreciation of our audiences as a means to spur us on to better things. I have derived particular strength on this occasion from the enthusiasm and passion of the Altimo Foundation.”