Turkish Violinist Suna Kan has Died, Aged 86

Kan was one of Turkey's foremost musicians and a champion of the country's repertoire

Born in Adana in 1936, violinist Suna Kan first began to learn the violin from her father, Nuri Kan. She made her first solo appearance aged just nine, playing Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra in Ankara.

At thirteen, she went to Paris on a scholarship, facilitated by a Turkish law regarding exceptionally talented children. She graduated from the Paris Conservatoire in 1952, having studied with Gabriel Bouillon.

Kan found success at several competitions, including first prize at the Genova International Competition, second prize at the Viotti International Competition, and at the Munich International Competition.

Alongside conductor Gürer Aykal, Kan was a founder of the TRT Ankara Chamber Orchestra, with whom she appeared as a solo violinist. She was also a professor of violin at the Bilkent University in Ankara.

"I am saddened by the loss of a great musician, close friend, and irreplaceable valuable violinist," said the Turkish pianist Gulsin Onay. "She will always live in our hearts with her unique memories and records."

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Professor Suna Kan, one of the most valuable artists our country has produced and who has worked in our orchestra for 44 years with the title of 'Soloist Artist' and represented our country with her outstanding achievements all over the world," said the Presidential Symphony Orchestra in a statement.

Our condolences to Ms. Kan's family, friends, and colleagues,