Soaring on the wings of music, Umit Isgorur’s heart glides lightly over the canola flowers' fields in March Chengdu, dancing gracefully under the warm spring sun. This is his third spring in Chengdu, and as The Bach Cello Suites flow from his strings, the golden sea of flowers sways in the breeze, transforming into the daffodil-covered landscapes of his hometown, Izmir. Having travelled around the world and wandered through musical capitals, Umit Isgorur has found a resting place for his heart in Chengdu. "I’d like to pay tribute to Chengdu’s spring with Bach’s suites."Born in Izmir, Turkiye, Umit Isgorur began learning the cello at the age of 10, and his musical career has spanned over 50 years. He founded the Dokuz Eylul University Symphony Orchestra in Turkiye and became the country’s first tenured cello professor. He has also served as principal cellist in several American orchestras and held concerts and masterclasses in Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Ecuador, Cuba, and the United States. When he received an invitation from the College of Chinese & ASEAN Arts of Chengdu University, he was also offered a position at a music conservatory in Germany. Yet he gladly accepted the teaching role in Chengdu: "Eastern culture fascinates me. I wanted to see a different world." Teaching music major classes at the College of Chinese & ASEAN Arts of Chengdu University, Umit Isgorur’s students hail from Russia, Brazil, and ASEAN countries. They all adore their vibrant teacher, who often arrives in brightly colored clothes for class. After ear-training exercises, he rewards well-performing students with candies. "Yes, you’ve noticed my clothes—pink, red, yellow… I love wearing vibrant colors, even my shoes are colorful. Every morning, I choose my clothes based on my mood, I do this because Chengdu itself is a colourful city." Beyond teaching, Umit Isgorur also performs in college concerts. In 2024, he and his colleague, violinist Isaac Ormaza Vera, delivered a passionate rendition of the tango classic Por Una Cabeza by Dong’an Lake, their strings weaving a dazzling interpretation of musical charm. In 2025, he chose to honor Chengdu’s spring with Bach’s masterpiece Suites For Solo Cello No.1 , hailed as the "voice of the cosmos" , are a pinnacle of Baroque music—grand, profound, and teeming with vitality, much like the Chengdu city in his heart. As an accomplished musician and educator, Umit Isgorur speaks highly of Chengdu’s musical environment: "The music scene here is vibrant. There are numerous orchestras, concert halls, and theaters. It's easy for citizens to enjoy frequent performances. I’d love more opportunities to participate in local concerts while inspiring younger generations to fall in love with classical music." He also notes Chengdu’s warm climate and suggests hosting open-air concerts year-round. "I’d love to make my home here." Chengdu and Izmir are sister cities, and Umit Isgorur finds many similarities between them: agreeable weather, spicy cuisine, and a leisurely pace of life. "So I never feel like an outsider in Chengdu—it’s more like a familiar and friendly place." The longer he lives in Chengdu, the more foreign expert Umit Isgorur adores it. "Though I’m a musician, and much of my life revolves around music, I still experience Chengdu’s charm in many ways. The city treasures its traditions, its people are warm and welcoming, and taste food is everywhere. At the same time, Chengdu is rapidly developing—with efficient transportation, comfortable living conditions, and rich musicial atmosphere. It’s a perfect blend of heritage and modernity, culture and progress." Chengdu’s vitality and consumer energy leave a deep impression on Umit Isgorur. "This is a city that never sleeps. Even at 2 a.m., people can take a Didi to anywhere to get delicious food..""I use Taobao—there, I can buy anything, cheap and high-quality. It’s magical." "I love China’s new energy vehicles. They’re everywhere on Chengdu’s streets." The natural beauty and restful atmosphere of this "park city" often pluck at his musician’s heartstrings: "Parks and scenic spots are everywhere. Sipping tea leisurely at Heming Teahouse in People’s Park reminds me of lovely afternoons by the Aegean Sea in Izmir." Surrounded by culinary delights daily, Umit Isgorur has rediscovered the joy of cooking. "I love blending Turkish and Sichuan cooking, mixing ingredients and spices. For example, when making traditional Turkish meatballs, I use both onions and cilantro, and substitute sunflower oil for olive oil. The process often sparks inspiration." Umit Isgorur says his friends and students adore his fusion dishes, often gathering in his small apartment at Chengdu University to taste those creative foods. On March 23, Umit isgorur celebrated his 61st birthday in Chengdu, surrounded by friends and students who treated him to a local barbecue feast, which is another beautiful memory in his Chengdu story. "If it is possible, I’d love to live throught my life in Chengdu."
