By Margaret Sheard …
I have been unable to attend the previous classical concerts at The Soulist so was delighted to be able to go along with my sister to the concert which took place on Sunday 25th November.
What a wonderful concert it was, with a first class performance by Mehmet Sakarya (Flute) and Atakan Sari (Piano), who enthralled the 80+ audience with their music.
The concert was organised by Roland Eyerich and Alper Cengiz (owner of the Soulist) and as Roland has written his own review of the evening, I have decided to keep mine short and also reproduce his review of the concert, which is shown below.
The Soulist has recognised the need to offer music of every description and as well as their normal Blues, Rock etc. events they are now including music for those who enjoy classical music as well, a great initiative.
Talking to an American lady during the interval, she said how wonderful it was to have this type of concert in the area and she was so pleased to be there enjoying the music which had brought a tear to her eye.
At the end of the concert flowers were presented to Mehmet and Atakan and there were calls for an encore, so we enjoyed a repeat of Habanera, a really rousing ending to a wonderful evening of classical music. Thank you Mehmet and Atakan for your superb performance.
By Roland Eyerich …
Fantastic Classical Night in the “Small Music Hall, Alsancak“ The SOULIST
For a long time people have had to wait in the area of Alsancak/Karavas for a classical 
concert. This year, after 25th of February, it was time again for another classical concert and on Sunday 25th November, the Soulist Coffee and Music House presented the next one.
More than 80 classical music lovers came to The Soulist and received a classical concert with the highest seal of quality. A classical concert for piano and flute with outstanding musicians
Atakan Sari – Piano and Mehmet Sakarya – Flute played music from – J.S. Bach, G. F. Händel, F. Schubert. W. A. Mozart to – J. Massenet, G. Faure and H. Shore. Their performance of these classical works inspired the audience
It was a great concert, great audience and The Soulist has once again shown how musically wide it is set up. Blues, Blues Rock, Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Rockabilly or Latin. Alper Cengiz a musician and owner of the Soulist always strives to offer good quality music. The Soulist is always a place for good music
BIOGRAPHY
Atakan Sari is a sought-after chamber musician and pianist, he has released his own Beethoven CD. In 2004 one of his highlights was when he performed in the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow.
In 2005, he won the Young Concert Artists competition and made his New York debut at Carnegie Hall. He is at the faculty of Near East University (NEU) in Lefkosa.
Mehmet Sakarya is also a sought-after chamber musician who began his music career in 1987. He graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and the University of Manchester in music / flute performance. He completed his music education with a double diploma in 2005.
In 2004 he participated in the masterclass of Hansjorg Schellenberg, the oboist of the Berliner Philharmoniker, and received positive reviews for “the chamber music group that best interprets Beethoven”.
In 2018 he became a member of the largest Latin Big Band of Northern Cyprus “Estrellas Latinas De Chipre”. In addition to the 2018 Kyrenia Latin Music and Dance Festival, they have also appeared at international music festivals in Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Hungary, France, Ireland, United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Ukraine and Denmark.
