Passion
Burak Besir & Sonya Belousova, Sonya Belousova, Burak Besir, Jim Walker
Internationally acclaimed and award-winning flutist, composer, and producer Burak Beşir was born in Cyprus. He graduated with distinction from the Ankara State Conservatory, then attended The Royal Scottlish Academy where he received his master's degree. He was the recipient of a 2003 United Kingdom Young Concert Artist Award, which gave him the opportunity to perform at concerts and festivals, including a concert at Wigmore Hall. He has performed as principal flutist of the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet. Beşir came to the U.S. in 2008 to study at the Berklee College of Music, where he received the Arif Mardin Achievement and Best Concerto Performer Awards. He is a frequent performer at the National Flute Association Conventions, where he has performed his own compositions and arrangements. Beşir wished for his debut album to reflect his playing, his music and his passions in life. The recording showcases rich and diverse masterpieces from the flute repertoire, as well as Beşir's virtuosic playing.
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Track Listing
| Title | Composer | Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Tango Fantasia | Jacob Gade | Burak Beşir, flute; Sonya Belousova, piano |
| Fantasie Brillante | François Borne | Burak Beşir, flute; Jim Walker, flute; Sonya Belousova, piano |
| Oblivion | Astor Piazzolla | Burak Beşir, alto flute; Sonya Belousova, piano |
| Lenski's Aria | Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky | Burak Beşir, flute; Sonya Belousova, piano |
| Por una Cabeza | Carlos Gardel | Burak Beşir, flute; Jim Walker, alto flute; Sonya Belousova, piano |
| Café 1930 | Astor Piazzolla | Burak Beşir, flute; Sonya Belousova, piano |
| La flûte de Pan, Op. 15 | Jules Mouquet | Burak Beşir, flute; Sonya Belousova, piano |
| Sound from Anatolia | Burak Beşir | Burak Bevir, flute; Jim Walker, flute; Sonya Belousova, piano |
Reviews
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"flutist Burak Besir is building a solid reputation as a soloist and composer. Now he has issued his first recording. With the assistance of flutist Jim Walker and pianist Sonya Belousova, it is a sparkling debut, even though Besir has intentionally presented only one or two facets of his art. Given his background, Besir's range of interests is not surprising. Originally from Cyprus, but conservatory trained in Ankara, Edinburgh and Boston, and after orchestral stints in Istanbul, Boston and Los Angeles, one would expect virtuoso technical skills and an eclectic repertoire. The first of these is certainly on display here, as Besir romps through a wide-ranging program, but it is the repertoire itself that sets this recording apart for me Besir's panache is evident in the first few notes as he bursts into our awareness with Jacob Gade's Tango Fantasia. As the album title suggests, Besir has decided to let his passion guide his programming. So it is that he eschews Dick, Berio and extended techniques in favor of high drama and, yes, brilliant fantasies His choices here are well-balanced, however, with just enough world music creeping in, from Argentina and Anatolia. It will be interesting to see how broad a brush Besir will wield on his next recording. Now that it his debut is here it is a breath of fresh air."
*Album cover provided for Editorial use only. ©Albany Records. The Albany Imprint is a registered trademark of PARMA Recordings LLC. The views and opinions expressed in this media are those of the artist and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions held by PARMA Recordings LLC and its label imprints, subsidiaries, and affiliates.