Piano & Music

My interest in music, especially piano, began from early childhood. Being children of an artist mother, both Ayla’s and my experiences with music began, thanks to her. Although she was interested in poetry and painting, she directed us to music education and introduced me to classical western music and piano, at the age of 8.

We had an electronic keyboard at home when I started my first piano and solfège lessons. Every piano player knows that a keyboard / organ never replaces the sound and playing quality of an acoustic piano. I remember how I insisted that my father purchase us a piano. He fulfilled this request after a few months, and then we had a Russian Rubinstein piano in the house.

I continued playing piano with professional training until high school and performed concerts. Then, medical school …

As I started to study at Ankara University, my connection with the piano got weaker. As a junior medical student, I did not have a piano in my house, the studies already very difficult and I could not work on new pieces. I noticed that the university had a piano in the exhibition room. I talked with the university, but I could not get permission to use that piano. In order to prove myself, I told the university board that I could play a piece on the 14th of March – National Doctor’s Day – and they asked them to listen to me. A day was scheduled and a committee consisting of university professors came to listen. I had not played piano for almost a year, at this point. I played Mozart’s March ala Turca, and received approval for the concert! I was summoned by the faculty Dean. I was allowed to play on an upright piano which was already available in another room, so I could continue my piano practices in university. As promised, I performed my first recital on the March 14, 2001, National Doctor’s Day.

During my medical school education, I ended up giving many piano recitals. I talked to the faculty rock music group and played pieces of my own arrangements with them in two concerts. The late Mehmet Ali Birand watched one of my concerts. We performed a poem / piano concert with İclal Aydin. And then, the medical school era was over.

I moved to Istanbul with the start of my plastic surgery specialty program and, once again, was separated from access to a piano.  In a few months, I purchased a Pearl River, an upright acoustic piano.  However, during my specialty program I relocated to Atlanta, for a short time, to work with a famous plastic surgeon in his clinic. The clinic was beautiful with an impressive setting. Ironically, one of the most interesting details happened to be an old piano in the room of one of the other surgeons who had been working in the clinic for many years. He played every once in a while and I stood by, admiring and longing for the sensation of the ivory beneath my fingertips.

I returned to Istanbul and, again, relocated for obligatory service in my plastic surgery specialization program. However, any time I visited Istanbul, I was sure to sit down at my Pearl River – which I still have in my home to this day – to work on old musical pieces and to practice new ones. I returned to Istanbul, permanently, after my obligatory service was over and, after practicing my profession in several private hospitals, I decided to establish my own clinic. I dreamt of having a grand piano in the clinic, similar to the seasoned doctor in Atlanta. The place I found for my clinic (Narmanlı Apartmani in Tesvikiye) was perfectly suitable for this concept. And, finally, I realized my dream.

Among my favorite composers I can count Chopin, Mozart, and Beethoven, as well as an Iranian composer, Javad Maroufi. I currently play a few waltzes from Chopin, two of which I play by heart. Mozart’s March ala Turca has a unique place in my heart and my favorite Beethoven piece is “Moonlight Sonata.” I try to play a few hours each week, although I have little time to work on new pieces. But, I hope you will hear the sound of my piano one day…