Young pianists Görsev Tepe, Ismet Ersalıcı, Miriam Marancos and Batu Özgün conquered hearts in Istanbul.

Cypriot pianist Görsev Tepe (11) won the first prize in the 6th International Pera Piano Festival which was realized in Istanbul between 2-8 May 2011 and added another milestone to her successes. Görsev Tepe played in the concours section of the festival in 9-12 age category. In this category, there were 26 contestants from various countries, Rauf Kasimov’s student Görsev Tepe’s outstanding performance was very much admired not only by the jury but also by the spectators.  In her performance with a duration of about 15 minutes, Görsev Tepe played C. Czerny’s Op. 299 Etude No. 6, Ulvi Cemal Erkin’s  Duyuşlar (Perceptions) No: 1, Sonata Pathetique 1st part by Beethoven and  Golliwogg’s Cake Walk by Debussy. In the performance section of the festival, Rauf Kasimov’s students Ismet Ersalıcı, Miriam Marancos and Batu Özgün attracted great interest with their succesful performances and they were given certificates of merit at the end of their concerts. Görsev Tepe was given a 1st prize Plaque and diploma at the final ceremony. Rauf Kasimov was given a certificate of gratitude and was invited for next year’s festival for a concert, act as masterclass and member of the jury.