Kaya: Guitar Works

Celil Refik Kaya is a contemporary guitarist and composer in the grand tradition of artists who have themselves expanded the repertoire for their instrument. The “Sonata No. 1” shows similarities to very different styles, including South and North American composers, jazz chord progressions, French Impressionism, and Spanish folk music, while the “Sonatina” expresses more personal emotions. Kaya’s Turkish background can be heard in his variations on the folk song “Yavuz Geliyor Yavuz,” which, like the “Sketches,” has its origins in the art and music that are close to the composer’s heart. Celil Refik Kaya’s new recording of his own guitar music joins his acclaimed releases of works by other composers. Kaya’s first recording, “Jorge Morel: Guitar Music,” was rated as ‘simply perfect’ in the American Record Guide, and MusicWeb International added that ‘the playing is superb in every way and comes from one of the outstanding young virtuosos of the guitar.’ Kaya has also recorded works by Carlo Domeniconi and Agustín Barrios Mangoré.