Pekinel sisters receive Lifetime Achievement Award at International Classical Music Awards

The International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) recently honored the world-renowned Pekinel sisters, Guher and Suher, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The prestigious ceremony took place in Spain, celebrating the sisters' profound impact on the classical music landscape.

Guher and Suher Pekinel, known globally for their impeccable coordination and virtuosity as a piano duo, have become iconic figures in classical music. The ICMA recognized their lifelong dedication and their ability to constantly reinterpret their artistic relationship.

Suher Pekinel expressed their joy and the significance of the award, "This award is an answer that shows our path must always go through the depths. We are delighted not for a recognition of perfection in our relationship but for the appreciation of our ever-changing artistic interpretations. It's important that the jury saw this."

Their musical careers are distinguished not only by performances but also by their commitment for renewal and growth. "Living with music is the greatest reason for constant renewal," Guher Pekinel stated. She described the necessity of evolving and questioning oneself along a challenging musical journey marked by ups and downs and shifting trends.

The Pekinel sisters have significantly contributed to music education in Türkiye, initiating 3 major educational programs aimed at nurturing young talent. Their program, "Young Musicians on World Stages," has notably produced students who have won 11 international competitions over 17 years.

They further developed a system for musically gifted students at the TEV Inanc Turkes High School for Gifted Students (Turk Egitim Vakfi Inanc Turkes Ozel Lisesi - TEVİTOL) and integrated the Orff-Schulwerk Music Education system into primary education across Anatolia.

Reflecting on their mentors and the lessons learned from them, Guher Pekinel shared insights into the educational philosophy that has shaped their approach: "Rudolf Serkin once told us, 'You won't work on technique with me. I will offer you a blend of different schools and composers, and you will respond to me musically.' This attitude was beautiful and crucial for us." She emphasized that their teachers provided guidance but choosing the path was ultimately their responsibility.

Starting their musical journey in Istanbul in 1953, the sisters received their initial training from their pianist mother and soon started performing publicly. By the age of 9, they were already performing with the Ankara Philharmonic Orchestra.

Their educational path led them through prestigious institutions such as the Paris Conservatoire and the Frankfurt Musikhochschule, and eventually to the Juilliard School in New York, where they graduated with top honors.

The Pekinels have graced the stage with the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, and New York Philharmonic. Their discovery by Herbert von Karajan in 1984 led to their participation in the Salzburg Festival, marking the beginning of a distinguished international career.

Source: Newsroom