Internationally acclaimed concert pianist Rüya Taner, who has successfully represented Türkiye and Northern Cyprus on world stages, is set to meet audiences in London on 13 June 2026 at St James’s Piccadilly with her new project “Sweet Waters of Asia.
As a continuation of her widely acclaimed “Sweet Waters of Europe” project, this new programme presents a comprehensive artistic journey in which historical and cultural connections are reinterpreted through music. Inspired by the rich, multi-layered heritage of the Silk Road, the recital brings to the stage the musical traces of a vast geography stretching from Russia to Türkiye, and from the Caucasus to Central Asia.
The programme features works by prominent 19th-century Romantic composers such as Mikhail Glinka, Alexander Borodin, and Sergei Lyapunov, alongside compositions by leading contemporary figures including Kamran İnce, Aziza Mustafazadeh, and Cypriot composer Sayram Akdil. This repertoire highlights how the musical colours of the East have been reflected within the Western classical tradition and how they continue to evolve today.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the recital is its emphasis on the musical heritage of Azerbaijan and Central Asia. In addition to works by composers such as Vasif Adigözalov and Rovshen Nepesov, Rüya Taner’s own piano arrangements of traditional Turkish melodies further reinforce the programme’s focus on cultural continuity and transformation. Within the framework of this special project, the world premiere of “Rüya”, a work composed and dedicated to Rüya Taner by the distinguished composer Rovshen Nepesov, will also be presented for the first time.
Through this project, the artist brings together the musical memory of diverse regions, underlining the power of music as a medium for intercultural dialogue and shared human expression. The concert is presented as part of the “Sweet Waters of Asia” project, under the auspices of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in London and in cooperation with the TRNC London Representative Office; with the support of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Development and Economic Cooperation Office of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Lefkoşa; under the main sponsorship of Bromcom; and with the contributions of the Yunus Emre Institute, Tower Garments London, and the Turkish Women’s Philanthropic Association.
Concert Details
St James’s Piccadilly, London
13 June 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Tickets: £8 (full), £6 (student)
Online Tickets: https://ruyataner.eventbrite.co.uk/
