Saffet Bayka, 57
Electrical engineer
Ankara, Turkey
Turkey

Saffet Bayka started playing the piano at 11, studying with Tulga Cetiz, a renowned teacher at Ankara State Conservatory. After appearing in school recitals, he performed with the Baskent Chamber Orchestra and the Presidential Symphony Orchestra in his 20s. Mr. Bayka graduated with honors from a piano program for amateurs at Hacettepe University-Ankara State Conservatory; today, he continues his musical pursuits, giving community concerts as part of a duo with clarinetist Ekrem Oztan. Mr. Bayka, an electrical engineer, cites performing with a professional orchestra as a personal goal. An amateur sailor in the summer and skier during the winter, Mr. Bayka says competing in Fort Worth will become an “honorable memory” that he looks forward to sharing with his fellow engineers upon his return to Ankara.

COMPETITION REPERTOIRE

Preliminary Round
CHOPIN   Nocturne in B Major, op. 9, no. 3
CHOPIN   Etude in C-sharp Minor, op. 10, no. 4

Quarterfinal Round
CHOPIN   Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, op. 23
GINASTERA   “Danza de la moza donosa” and “Danza del gaucho marrero” from Danzas Argentinas, op. 2

Semifinal Round
BEETHOVEN   Sonata No. 3 in C Major, op. 2, no. 3
CHOPIN   Prelude in D Minor, op. 28, no. 24

Final Round
MOZART   Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488: III. Allegro assai