When Kemal Gekic plays, he allows his audience to experience a different reality — one where  music and time have no difference from each other, but rather evolve into one, resulting in  something ethereal and otherworldly. He is a time traveler and a magician who possesses the  ability to connect phrases in a way that is completely organic, emphasizing the most important  part of our lives: relationships and connections. 

On March 24, Kemal drew his audience into this new timescape, building an intimate connection  between the created sound worlds and each audience member. This connection that we each  individually had with his music made all of us feel connected to each other as well, as though  everyone’s hearts were beating collectively, as one. 

The magic of this evening was unparalleled as the time traveler himself took us through sonatas by Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and Prokofiev. Although the pieces were “some of the most important in all of piano literature” (as quoted by Kemal in his opening speech) each note was a  revolutionary experience, even to those who are pianists themselves. 

Most importantly, Kemal reflected the mission of the Miami International Piano Festival and its academy: to create a paradise for artists, musicians, and listeners alike, and securing a future for the next generation of musicians. Each student, artist, and community member that attended felt this way, and we are forever grateful for this sensational evening.

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