On August 5, 2023, soprano Burcu Hancı performed the piece “Bozkırın Sesi” by renowned Turkish composer Muammer Sun at the “Turkey and Korea: Concert of Friendship and Harmony” held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The concert was conducted by Im Sang Yoon, accompanied by the LAKMA Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorale.

When invited to perform a Turkish composition as part of the event, Hancı immediately thought of Muammer Sun. A graduate of Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory, she emphasized that Sun's musical philosophy and compositions played a key role in her artistic education. “Bozkırın Sesi is an exceptionally special work,” she noted. “I believed it would leave a powerful impression on an international audience in Walt Disney Concert Hall — and it certainly did. When I sent the piece for consideration, they were deeply moved and immediately added it to the concert program.”

That evening also featured Giuseppe Verdi’s “Messa da Requiem”, performed in memory of the victims of the February 6 earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. Hancı highlighted the extraordinary dedication of all musicians involved in executing such a complex piece with limited rehearsal time.

The concert’s central theme was to build cultural bridges between the large Turkish and Korean communities in the Los Angeles area, honoring the long-standing historical ties between the two nations. With artists from around the world, the event created a powerful atmosphere of harmony and mutual respect, highlighting the universal language of music.

Hancı described her emotional connection to “Bozkırın Sesi” as deeply personal:

“I feel something indescribable every time I perform it. My love and respect for this land are endless. Muammer Sun was a deeply patriotic composer, and you can feel every emotion he experienced in this piece — it truly reflects the soul of our land.”

The performance resonated strongly with the audience. After the concert, many approached Hancı with heartfelt comments such as “You made us cry,” expressing how profoundly they were moved. Turkish audience members and international listeners alike praised the richness of Turkish music and the impact of hearing it performed with a full orchestra.

“We want more concerts like this,” “Come more often,” and “Your melodies sound so beautiful with the orchestra — we want to hear this music more,” were just a few of the comments she received.

Burcu Hancı’s performance left a lasting impression not only through her artistry but also by serving as a cultural bridge, connecting people through the emotional power of music.