rki.news
Internationally acclaimed Turkish Cypriot pianist and TRNC State Artist Rüya Taner treated music lovers in Doha, the capital of Qatar, to a memorable evening of music with her piano recital entitled “Sweet Waters of Asia.”
Organised on 2 November 2026 at Katara Cultural Village through the collaboration of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Doha and Katara Cultural Village, with contributions from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Representative Office in Doha, the concert brought together a distinguished audience from diplomatic circles, cultural institutions and the wider arts community.
Among those in attendance were H.E. Yakup Caymazoğlu, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Qatar; Huriye Hançerli Gürdal, Head of Mission of the TRNC Representative Office in Doha; Maryam Al Saad, General Manager of the Katara Public Diplomacy Center and Secretary-General of GPDNet; as well as ambassadors and diplomats from various countries accredited to Qatar, representatives of institutions and organisations, and music enthusiasts from across Doha.
The Musical Heritage of the Silk Road Resonates in Doha
Rüya Taner’s “Sweet Waters of Asia” concert project draws inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of the historic Silk Road, bringing together musical traditions from a vast geographical landscape stretching from Russia and Türkiye to the Caucasus and Central Asia.
The programme featured works by Romantic-era composers Mikhail Glinka, Alexander Borodin and Sergei Lyapunov, alongside compositions by İsmail Dede Efendi, a master of classical Ottoman music; Azerbaijani composer Aziza Mustafazadeh; Turkmen composer Rovshen Nepesov; and Turkish Cypriot composers Kamran İnce and Sayram Akdil.
One of the highlights of the evening was “Gates,” a composition by internationally renowned composer Kamran İnce. Reflecting the distinct religious and cultural traditions of the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot people that share the island of Cyprus, the piece conveys the suffering experienced in the past through the poignant lament of a grieving mother. During the performance, Taner evoked the Islamic call to prayer “Ezan” using her own voice, while recreating the sound of church bells by plucking the strings of the piano. The performance marked the Qatar premiere of this evocative composition.
An Internationally Acclaimed Musical Career
Rüya Taner began studying the piano at an early age under the guidance of her father, Yılmaz Taner, and was admitted to the Ankara State Conservatory at the age of eleven. She subsequently received a state scholarship to pursue her studies at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, where she graduated with the distinguished title of “Concert Pianist.”
Having launched her international performing career at London’s renowned Wigmore Hall, Taner has since performed extensively across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Asia, presenting numerous solo recitals and appearing with orchestras on international stages. She is also a Steinway & Sons Artist, a distinction recognising her artistic achievements and international standing.
Taner, who also serves as Director and Coordinator of the North Cyprus International Bellapais Music Festival, presented the world premiere of “Sweet Waters of Asia” at London’s prestigious St James’s Piccadilly in June 2026 and has further international performances scheduled across Europe and the Middle East for the 2026–2027 concert season.
The concert represented a meaningful contribution to promoting Turkish Cypriot arts and culture on the international stage, while once again highlighting the unifying power of music in fostering cultural exchange and strengthening ties between communities.
