On 23 April 2026, Yunus Emre Institute in London presents From Anatolia to Europe: Folk Echoes for Cello and Piano at World Heart Beat, bringing together Turkish pianist Pınar Çelik Warsi and Welsh cellist Ben Tarlton for an evocative evening of music shaped by folk traditions.
This special recital offers audiences a cross-cultural journey through a rich and diverse repertoire, featuring works by Özkan Manav, Ahmed Adnan Saygun, Béla Bartók, Manuel de Falla, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Robert Schumann, and Claude Debussy. Spanning Türkiye, Hungary, Spain, England, France, and Germany, the programme highlights how composers have drawn on folk music to create distinctive and deeply expressive musical languages.
Throughout the evening, audiences will be guided by brief spoken introductions, offering insight into the origins of the works and the composers’ engagement with traditional music. Particular focus will be given to the pioneering fieldwork of Ahmed Adnan Saygun and Béla Bartók in Anatolia, illuminating shared cultural threads and musical heritage.
The concert will last approximately 90 minutes, in two parts, plus a 20-minute interval.
Taking place on 23 April, the performance also marks Türkiye’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, a celebration of culture, heritage, and future generations.
Performers
Pınar Çelik Warsi (piano)
Born in Istanbul, Pınar Çelik Warsi studied at Istanbul University State Conservatory before continuing her training at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in London. An award-winning pianist, she has performed internationally as both a soloist and chamber musician, appearing in major venues across Europe and collaborating with leading orchestras.
Ben Tarlton (cello)
London-based cellist Ben Tarlton has performed at renowned venues including Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, and the Barbican. A graduate of the Yehudi Menuhin School and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he enjoys a varied career as a performer, teacher, and festival director. He will join the Mithras Trio in 2026 and performs on a William Forster cello.
Event Details
Date: 23 April 2026
Time: 7:00 pm
Venue: World Heart Beat, 3 Ponton Road, London SW11 7BD
Tickets & Information:
https://worldheartbeat.org/whats-on/event/from-anatolia-to-europe-folk-echoes-for-cello-and-piano/
About Yunus Emre Institute
Yunus Emre Institute in London is dedicated to promoting Turkish culture, arts, and language in the UK. Through concerts, exhibitions, talks, and educational programmes, the Institute fosters cultural exchange and dialogue between Türkiye and the UK.
About World Heart Beat
World Heart Beat is a music academy in London offering lessons, performance opportunities, and industry training, helping young people from all backgrounds develop their talent and creativity.