On the evening of 4th April, the Mukam Palace of Ashgabat hosted the concert titled “Paris La nuit — Berlin im Licht”), featuring songs performed in Turkmen, French, German, and English. The concert was organized by the Embassies of Germany and France in Ashgabat, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan. This event, which is collect classical music enthusiasts, showcased the renowned German vocalist Katharine Mehrling and pianist Ferdinand von Seebach, accompanied by the State Symphony Orchestra of Turkmenistan, conducted by Resul Gylyjov.
The concert opened with speeches by Bernd Heinze, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to Turkmenistan; Philippe Merlin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Turkmenistan; and the Deputy Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan. Katharine Mehrling ‘s performance of songs by Kurt Weill, a prominent 20th-century German composer, and Edith Piaf, a celebrated French singer and songwriter, was met with big applause. The program included classical songs from over ten different genres, notably “September Song,” composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht, and “Hymne à l’Amour,” composed by Edith Piaf in 1950 and frequently performed on musical theater stages, providing the audience with a profound musical experience. During the concert, the German vocalist graciously invited the talented Turkmen singer Davran Shammiyev to the stage for a collaborative performance. Shammiyev also performed “Turkmen Desert,” composed by G. Ezizov to music by N. Halmammedov.
At the end of the concert, we had the opportunity to experience the expressions and feelings of the singer and pianist.
— Performing in Ashgabat, at the Mukam Palace, has been a truly special experience. The audience was incredibly warm and welcoming, and I felt wonderful. The moment I stepped onto the stage, I knew it would be an unforgettable night. I feel very happy. At the concert, I performed numerous show songs and works by Kurt Weill, a German genius. He created world music in collaboration with Bertolt Brecht, pioneering a new musical style. He was one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. I also performed songs by Edith Piaf, an artist I have admired for a long time. I love singing her songs.
This is my first time in Ashgabat. The city has been exciting and amazing. We have been here for a two days, and I have had the privilege of seeing much of the city. I believe it is wonderful to meet the people, to interact with the audience, and to understand their mentality. The most beautiful aspect of this concert is how music unites us, regardless of language barriers. With music you can feel the energy of people from all over the world, as remarked Katharine Mehrling.
— The concert was incredibly emotional for me. The director was superb, and the orchestra was equally excellent which we played together. We thoroughly enjoyed working with them. We had only two days of rehearsals, and in that short time, we managed to complete the entire program, which was quite challenging. We performed at such a high level, with immense enthusiasm, and it was a great joy for us. I hope some of that joy reached the audience. It was a beautiful night for us, remarked pianist Ferdinand von Seebach.
