---
title: Cemal Reşit Rey
slug: cemal-resit-rey-44544
url: /detay/cemal-resit-rey-44544
type: biography
language: English
entity:
  primary: Cemal Reşit Rey
  type: biography
  categories:
    - name: Music
      slug: muzik
      url: /kategori/muzik
  tags:
    - Turkish Five
    - Cemal Reşit Rey
    - Classical Music
author: Yusuf İslam Tuğla
created_at: 2025-12-02T08:35:08.702310+03:00
updated_at: 2025-12-02T08:35:08.702324+03:00
image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/31/a55syFQNhOZjtwvc9qibDm2y1ZiJ0kJ1.png
---

# Cemal Reşit Rey

> Cemal Reşit Rey (25 September 1904 – 7 October 1985) is a Turkish composer, orchestra conductor and educator who held the title of State Artist

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## KURE Information Cards

### KURE Information Card: Cemal Reşit Rey

![3324.png](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/31/d5IkTydKbosET7Y2ovhiqax8s9Eu1Qeu.png)

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Doğum tarihi | 1904-09-25 |
| Place of Birth | Jerusalem - Ottoman State |
| Ölüm tarihi | 1985-10-07 |
| Grave | Edirnekapı Martyrdom Site - Istanbul |
| Profession(s) | Musician - Composer |

<!-- CONTEXT: Article Content for "Cemal Reşit Rey" -->

## Article Content

**Cemal Reşit Rey** was born on 25 September 1904 in Jerusalem. His father, [Ahmet Reşit Bey](/en/detay/ahmet-resit-rey-224ba/llms.txt), was a prominent diplomat of the Ottoman Empire and a writer for the literary journal *Servet-i Fünûn*. His mother, Fethiye Hanım, was a granddaughter of Grand Vizier İbrahim Edhem Paşa. Rey received his first music lessons from his mother and composed his first waltz at the age of eight. In 1913 he moved to Paris with his family, where he studied with the renowned pianist Marguerite Long. During World War I, Rey relocated to Geneva and continued his education at the Geneva Conservatory. He later strengthened his musical knowledge by taking courses in musical aesthetics, composition, and orchestral conducting at the Paris Conservatory.

### **Artistic Contributions and Compositions**

[Cemal Reşit Rey](/en/detay/cemal-resit-rey-739a9/llms.txt) was one of the “Turkish Five,” a group that pioneered the development of classical music in [Türkiye](/en/detay/turkiye-2/llms.txt). He created original works by synthesizing Western musical forms with Turkish music. In 1925 he composed the *12 Anatolian Folk Songs*, bringing Turkish folk music into the realm of polyphonic composition. Among his most famous works are the *Tenth Anniversary March* and the operetta *Lüküs Hayat*. His other operettas, including *Deli Dolu*, *Saz Caz*, and *Maskara*, also received considerable attention. He made significant contributions to Turkish music through his symphonic poems, concertos, and chamber music.

![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/18/SxzSWVuAA3ADvL5sXo3Wp8m6yh3o50aG.jpg)
*Infographic on the life of Cemal Reşit Rey (Anadolu Agency)*

### **Educational and Institutional Contributions**

Rey taught at the Istanbul Municipal Conservatory, where he founded several vocal choirs and the *Stringed Instruments Group*. This ensemble later became the [Istanbul City Orchestra](/en/detay/uskudar-musiki-cemiyeti/llms.txt). In 1938 he served as head of the Western Music Department at Ankara Radio, and in 1945 he established the Philharmonic Society in Istanbul, enabling international artists to perform concerts in Türkiye. For many years he presented the program *Explorations in the World of Piano* on Istanbul Radio, where he introduced and performed many new compositions with detailed commentary. From 1982 until his death, he taught composition at the State Conservatory of Mimar Sinan University.

### **Legacy and Significance**

Cemal Reşit Rey was an artist who blended Turkish and Western music and produced works in this hybrid field. His compositions contributed significantly, both artistically and culturally, to Türkiye’s modernization process.

[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6iPsSfthVg)
*Cemal Reşit Rey’s Symphonic Poem (Classical World • Klasik Dünya)*

<!-- CONTEXT: Academic Sources and References for "Cemal Reşit Rey" -->

## Academic Sources and References

1. Anadolu Ajansı. "Türk Müziğinin Unutulmaz Bestekarı: Cemal Reşit Rey." Accessed May 18, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kultur-sanat/turk-muziginin-unutulmaz-bestekari-cemal-resit-rey/1997252
2. Babacan, Cem. “Cemal Reşit Rey’in Bestecilik Üslubunun İncelenmesi.” \*İdil\* 110 (October 2023): 1724–1731. Accessed May 18, 2025.
3. Classical World. "Türkiye Symphonic Poem • IX.Molto Adagioı: Cemal Reşit Rey." YouTube, 2016. Accessed May 18, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6iPsSfthVg
4. İlyasoğlu, Evin. "Bir Popüler Kültür Kahramanı: Cemal Reşit Rey." Z Dergisi. Accessed May 18, 2025. https://www.zdergisi.istanbul/makale/bir-populer-kultur-kahramani-cemal-resit-rey-397