Earth Day Recital to Benefit the Matthew Lester Pollinator Garden

The First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton is presenting an Earth Day concert to benefit the Matthew Lester Pollinator Garden at the East Hampton Farm Museum. The concert, on Sunday, April 21, at 3 p.m., will feature solo pianist Beyza Yazgan performing a program of works by Chopin, Debussy, Messian, Rachmaninoff, Villa Lobos and others to honor the Earth and celebrate spring. Brian Field's "Three Passions for our Tortured Planet," a piece that focuses on three areas of climate change, is also on the program.

Beyza Yazgan is a Turkish pianist and composer (b.1989). She started her doctoral studies at Warsaw Chopin Academy of Music and completed her degree at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University State Conservatory with Hulya Tarcan in Istanbul. Following her doctoral degree, she earned a “Professional Studies” diploma from Mannes School of Music in New York City in Yuri Kim's studio.

The winner of many music competition prizes, she has toured her native Turkey and organized and performed benefit recitals at the British and Italian Embassies in Istanbul to fundraise for childhood cancers and Syrian refugees. More recently, she performed in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Abrons Art Center for New York Electroacoustic Music Festival and at Teatro Alfieri in Italy.

Her self-produced debut album “To Anatolia: Selections from the Turkish Five” was released by Bridge Records in 2021. Besides playing the piano, Yazgan also draws illustrations. Her latest animation “Su Yamacta” has been chosen as an official selection at Short To the Point and Canlandiranlar Film Festival. She lives in New York City, teaches private piano lessons and is working on her upcoming album.

The goal of the Earth Day Recital program is to raise money and support for the Matthew Lester pollinator garden. Lester, a 17-year-old East Hampton High School student, died of an apparent suicide in 2017. In addition to the performance, an East Hampton Farm Museum representative will speak briefly about the garden and earth-friendly products will be given to attendees. Admission is suggested donation of $20. First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton is at 120 Main Street. For more information, visit fpceh.org or call 631-332-2550.