With the CMCO (Conditional Movement Control Order) slowly lifting, Malaysians have adapted to the new norm in their day-to-day life no matter where they are at. Now with interstate travelling being allowed, Malaysians are awaiting the day where they can cross international borders to not only explore the many tourist spots but to also fill their hearts with one-of-a-kind music such as the recently launched Turkey’s Presidential Symphony Orchestra.

Dating from 1826, the CSO now has a new home in Turkey’s capital, Ankara, inaugurated on December 3^rd and honoured by the attendance of the President of the Turkish Republic, Recep Tayyip Erdo?an and the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy in a glorious opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony was directed by Cemi’i Can Deliorman and featured world-renowned soprano Angela Gheorghiu, one of the world’s most successful piano duos Güher and Süher Pekinel, and lastly, the world-renowned piano virtuoso ?dil Biret.

Designed by architects Semra and Özcan Uygur, the new building constitutes an indoor area of 62,547 square meters. In addition to the Turkish Presidential Orchestra, it will host the Ankara State Polyphonic Choir, Ankara Turkic World Music Ensemble, Ankara State Turkish Folk Music Choir, Ankara State Classical Turkish Music Choir and State Folk Dances Ensemble. The new building houses a 2023-seat grand concert hall, a 500-seat small concert hall, a 10,000-capacity open-air concert area and the CSO Museum.

With ambitions of becoming not just Turkey’s but one of the world’s foremost concert halls, the CSO Building is the first structure in Turkey specifically designed for a symphonic orchestra. More than just one of the few global metropolitan music centres, it will also be a living artistic hub presenting the richest culture and arts contents on an international scale. During the opening ceremony, all COVID-19 measures (especially social distancing rules) were implemented, and numerous Turkish and international guests attended, including artists and journalists, as special guests of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The culture and arts centre will house the “Great Hall”, hosting the Turkish Presidential Orchestra, the “Blue Hall” and the historical “CSO Hall”, and will welcome art lovers from around the world throughout the year with a plethora of important works ranging from classical to traditional music, world music and popular music.