Mr. Huseyin Sermet, Pianist
Q) When was your first piano concert in Japan ?
A) 15 years ago, I performed a classic piano concert in Japan. I performed a piano concert in 1981 at Yokohama Festival which was a lucky event for contacts in the musical field between Turkey and Japan . In 1983, I had invited the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra to a music festival in Istanbul . Six concerts were held during the festival and it was a great success. Therefore, I think holding a concert with the Tokyo Symphony as one of events of the Turkish Year is very important and meaningful. Moreover, we have formulated a group of artists in Paris in order to play an active part for world peace and friendship. We invited Nagaokakyo Indoor Ensemble for a concert in Istanbul . We are planning to hold concerts in Hiroshima, Nagasaki and also in Iraq by American pianists.

Q) Both Turkey and Japan have wonderful traditional music and folk dancing. But unfortunately Japanese young generation does not support it these days. What is the situation on this question in Turkey now?
A) Concerning music, it is not possible to distinguish right from wrong. Young generation does not enjoy traditional music in general and I think this is a characteristic common all over the world. In Turkey also, the young generation does not listen to traditional music. On the other hand, young people all over the world love listening to rap music. I think whether traditional music can be preserved or not depends on the country's attitude toward music. It is important to evaluate culture from the core. I guess it is important to cultivate the ability to evaluate after learning all aspects of music.

Mr. Huseyin Sermet
Mr. Sermet was born in 1955. He studied music in Ankara and Paris. After winning first prize at the Munich Music Concert in 1974, he won several championships of international music contests. Currently he is working actively in Europe and Japan . He performed as a soloist of Tokyo Symphony and NHK Symphony. He is Turkey 's one of the leading "state artists".
 
Mrs. Sirin Pancaroglu, Harpist
Q) What do you think about the environment of Turkey where musicians are brought up?
A) We have many talented young people in our country. However, most of them face financial problems. The numbers of music concerts are decreasing every year and investments to train artists are not carried out effectively. Last year, an international music concert was held at Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul and young Japanese performers won the first and second places. In the field of harp playing, which is my line of music, 4 5 Japanese harpists are of international reputation. When I was studying music in America I made friends with some young Japanese artists. I would like to play together with them some day.

Q) Does Ottoman Turkey have influence on the music also?
A) In the Balkan Peninsula there is a lot of traditional folk music which is exactly the same as that of Turkish. However, the words of songs differ from country to country. In some countries, it is the music of love, but in another one, it is music of victory. But the interesting point is that wherever you go, you can find this kind of traditional folk music. Sometimes, musicians are engaged in a heated controversy as to the origin of folk music.

Mrs. Sirin PANCAROGLU
She studied music in Turkey and the U.S.A. She conducts several music concerts in Turkey, Europe, and the U.S.A. She acts as soloist of Washington Indoor Symphony Orchestra and Istanbul National Symphony Orchestra.