Turkish star cellist Jamal Aliyev, in Hong Kong for recitals, talks about practising six to seven hours a day during quarantine

Jamal Aliyev was worried about his one-week hotel quarantine when he landed in Hong Kong earlier this month. But it didn’t take long for the Turkish cellist to settle into a routine, one that involved hours of practice. “I was going a bit crazy on the second or third day but now I’m used to it,” says Aliyev via Zoom. “I practise for six to seven hours a day, although I was worried about bothering the people next door but no one has complained – not even the time I practised until 3am.” Maybe there weren’t any complaints from his neighbours because Aliyev is a world-class cellist and his music might have been just what the “imprisoned” guests needed – no matter what time of the day or night. It’s also just what Hongkongers need: the city has been starved of exhibitions and performances as it limps through the fifth wave of the pandemic, the tight travel restrictions forcing many artists to bypass Hong Kong. Aliyev makes his Hong Kong debut on May 15 with “Rising Star Cellist Jamal Aliyev Recital: 4 Cities” at the City Hall Concert Hall with Taiwanese pianist and composer Evelyn Chang and Hong Kong-born pianist Vanessa Wong Wai-yin. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jamal Aliyev (@jamalaliyev_cellist) At the heart of his recital is the Fazil Say Sonata, inspired by four Turkish cities. Aliyev has collaborated many times with Say, a celebrated Turkish pianist and composer who has wowed the world for more than 25 years. “It’s a really nice programme where I will also bring in some of my Turkish music and culture,” he says. “Say is amazing at portraying what’s on his mind into his music, so it’s going to be a very interesting journey for the audience.” The programme, presented by Premiere Performances of Hong Kong, also features the world premiere of the Kâtibim Jazz Variations that was written for Aliyev by Los Angeles-based Turkish composer Cem Oslu. On May 21, Aliyev will also perform with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta in the “Cellomania with Jamal Aliyev” concert as part of the French May Arts Festival, joining hands with the Sinfonietta’s music director emeritus, Yip Wing-sie, to play an eclectic selection including Paganini’s mesmerising Variations on One String on a Theme by Rossini, and Popper’s Hungarian Rhapsody. It’s not surprising that Aliyev answered the classical music call. It’s in his blood. “I was actually born in Azerbaijan but my parents moved to Turkey when I was two months old,” he says. “They were both musicians. My mum’s a cellist, my dad is a violinist and my grandfather, also a cellist, was my first teacher … my grandmother would always accompany me on the piano. “Growing up I had a really strict regime. My parents are from Soviet countries so I had to practise quite a lot and they watch me all the time.” Multimedia concert invites us to look beyond the world’s current troubles His dedication to his craft has paid off. Since his solo debut at the BBC Proms in 2017, he has performed around Europe to rave reviews. In 2021 he was featured as one of Classic FM’s “30 of the most brilliant young classical musicians playing today”. Like with many artists, Covid-19 grounded Aliyev. But he focused on the positives. “It was a bit stressful because all the contracts stopped or were delayed, and we didn’t know when it was going to open again. But it was also nice because I got to spend some time with my family,” he adds. “Before Covid I was always on the road, going from stage to stage and didn’t always have time to practise or learn a new repertoire, so it was a perfect time for me to learn new pieces and spend time with family.” Today he continues to hone his craft. “Even though I’m already 28 years old, I enjoy exploring new things on the cello,” he says. “I’m always trying to improve and better express my musical ideas and thoughts by making my instrument my voice. “I have an amazing new cello – it was one of the first three or four cellos owned by Yo-Yo Ma when he was playing on it in his 30s.” He’s also excited about exploring Hong Kong, his first visit to the city. “I come out of quarantine on the 13th, so I will have a few rehearsals before the recital. It will be busy but I will have a few free days to explore and enjoy the city.”