Ali Rıfat Çağatay

Who was Ali Rıfat Çağatay?

Ali Rıfat Çağatay was a Turkish composer, oud virtuoso and academic, who served as the founding president of the Türk Musikisi Ocağı and the long-term president of the Şark Musiki Cemiyeti.

He was noted for his efforts to harmonize Classical Turkish Music with elements of western musical heritage, his vocal abilities, as well as his talents on the oud, the violoncello, the tanbur, and the kemenche.

Notable works include the original musical arrangement for the Turkish National Anthem, used between 1924-1930 until the acceptance of the new composition by Osman Zeki Üngör, as well as other national favorites.