Suna
Kan is a Turkish violinist and teacher born (in Adana) on October 21,
1936. She is very likely the best-known
Turkish violinist, having concertized throughout the world for many years,
appearing with many high profile orchestras, artists, and conductors, including
Zubin Mehta, Walter Susskind, Arthur Fiedler, Yehudi Menuhin, Pierre Fournier,
and Igor Bezrodny. She began her studies
at age five, making her first public appearance at age 9, playing Mozart’s
Turkish concerto (number 5) and Viotti’s most popular violin concerto - number
22 in a minor – with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra – I don’t know who was
on the podium. (Viotti’s 29 concertos have
been recorded by Italian violinist Franco Mezzena, in case you’re interested.) Kan’s initial teachers included Hulusi Karsel, Walter
Gerhard, Lico Amar, and Izzet Albavrak. At
age 13, she began studying at the Paris Conservatory, graduating in 1952. She was 16 years old. She then began her international career. In 1971, Kan was named State Artist by the
Turkish government. She was also one of
the founders of the Ankara Chamber Orchestra at about the same time. Kan has also received meritorious awards from
the French government. In 1986, she
became violin professor at Bilkent University in Ankara. She was 50 years old. Her most famous pupil is probably Ertan
Torgul, concertmaster of several American orchestras. A violin competition which was very recently
inaugurated is named after Kan. Although
her discography is not extensive, she has recorded several CDs of concertos and
other music by her countrymen, whom she champions. Here is the third movement of Ulvi Erkin’s
violin concerto.
