Evren Ozel has been playing the piano since the age of three. This week, the Minneapolis native will make his debut with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra for their October 22 concert in Bill Heard Theatre at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.
Though a young pianist early in his career, Ozel has already made his mark on the industry. In 2016, he won first prize at the Boston Symphony Concerto Competition and followed it with a second place award that year at the Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition. He also represented the U.S.A at the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Poland in October 2021, where he was a quarter-finalist.
Image by Geneva Lewis. Courtesy of the artist.
Ozel studied at New England Conservatory and has played with top American ensembles like the Cleveland Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, RTE National Symphony and the Boston Pops. He's also had residencies at some of the top summer festivals in the world. He is currently represented by Concert Artists Guild, as one of the Ambassador Prize winners of their 2021 Victor Elmaleh Virtual Competition.
For his debut with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Ozel will perform the ever-popular Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor, Op. 23 by Tchaikovsky. Music Director and Conductor, George Del Gobbo said he is excited to have Ozel as a featured artist this season. “One of the CSO's greatest pleasures is seeking out talented young artists, those who are just embarking on solo careers, and giving them a chance to build their resumes with a performance with our orchestra. Evren Ozel is such an artist, a fine young pianist at the beginning of his concert life," said Del Gobbo. "We are delighted to be a part of his journey.”
Other works in this week's concert include Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten by Pärt and Vaughan William's Symphony No. 5 in D Major.
If You Go:
What: Ozel Plays Tchaikovsky
When: October 22, 7:30 PM
Where: Heard Theatre, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
Cost: Adult: $20-40 | Child/Student: $10 (Senior, Military, and Educator Discounts Available)