kaval player, composer,
ethnomusicologist
what they said?
Leonhard Paul
Mnozil Brass
Vienna, Austria
I met Batuhan Aydın in 2013 at a concert in Germany. We had a great time with a lot of sessions. I liked to play with him as a musician who uses his ears, his eyes, his whole body when he plays his ‘magic flute’. This intimate and intensive sound, this awesome phrasing, those colours in the sound of his intsrument(s) - he uses a lot of flutes in keys I never knew that they really exist -, this guy never made a sad face, he is the living sunshine on earth. Even my children where tied from his character.
I´ld like to meet him again. If you ever have the possibility to meet and hear him - catch him!
Prof. Bernhard Vanecek
University of Music and Performing Arts
Mannheim, Germany
Batuhan Aydın is a great virtuoso on his kaval. As an authentic traditional kaval player he combines traditional Balkan music with modern Jazz in an unique way with a lot of feeling and energy. It’s amazing to hear Batuhan’s creations of sounds with his instrument in so many different colours.
Batuhan Aydın is not a musician - he is music!
Nedyalko Nedyalkov
Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) Artist
Sofia, Bulgaria
I would say that Batuhan Aydın is the representative of a new generation of kaval players, who stay true to their traditional musical backgrounds, yet explore new styles in a creative way. To my opinion Aydın's creative and innovative approach to music creates a fresh and unique style.
Prof. Lyuben Dossev
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
I met Batuhan Aydın at the "Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts - Prof. Asen Diamandiev" in Plovdiv/Bulgaria.
First of all, he is a very talented instrumentalist. After just one year of studies we had together, Aydın masterly played most traditional Bulgarian kaval techniques and musical styles. I don't think it is necessary to mention his mastery of the Turkish kaval.
After his return to Turkey, Aydın founded KAPIKO, a band consisting of four great musicians, who managed to create their own unique style. I admire their sound! I hope for Batuhan Aydın and KAPIKO to succeed on their way and wish them just the best!
Prof. Hristijan Nikolovski
UGD Faculty of Music Art
Shtip, Macedonia
I had - as I recall - the opportunity to make music with Batuhan Aydın at an organization in Serbia in 2017, though we knew eachother before. He is a well known artist, especially in Balkan countries like Bulgaria, Serbia and my homeland, Macedonia.
I don't know where to start...
I don't think much has to be said about his Kaval virtuosity. I would instead like to talk about his character. We became very close friends shortly after I started working with him. We have supported each other on many occasions. He is a man who manages to make everyone around him "fly". When Batuhan Aydın enters a room, you know that he is the star of the evening. I just feel very lucky to be his friend and to have the opportunity to make music with him.
Prof. Bruno Cândido
Conservatório Regional de Castelo Branco
Castelo Branco, Portugal
I met Batuhan Aydın in 2015 at an international festival on Terceira, and island of the Azores in Portugal. I had the opportunity to work with him while conducting the international "COFIT" orchestra. First of all, Batuhan is a person of great modesty with a fine sense of humor.
He is, by all means, a fantastic musician. The emotionality of his music is so overwhelming, that it makes one say, “That's what real music is.” It is very natural, he has got music in his blood! Batuhan Aydın was the musician in the orchestra I was most impressed by. It was a great pleasure to work with him. I hope I will have the chance to work with him again.
What a quality!
Osman Aktas
Turkish National Radio (TRT) Artist
Istanbul, Turkey
The sound of the kaval has been reverberating freely for hundreds of years in Anatolia and in recent times, found its rightful place in orchestras all over Turkey. It is because of this that I feel great pride in Batuhan Aydın, who, in spite of his young age, has made many people love the instrument. Musicians like Batuhan are an important momentum in speeding up the evolution of the instrument. I hope that the spirit of his music and the sound of his breath will always be as brilliant and timeless as they are now!
Dr. Erman Turkili
FSU and PSU, USA
Istanbul BAU Conservatory, Turkey
I met Batuhan Aydın while rehearsing for a project and had the chance to perform with him. Alongside our professional relation, we became good friends. Batuhan is a talented and diligent musician open for many styles like traditional music from all around the world, classical music and jazz. As an academic and a concert violinist I am happy to have had the opportunity to meet him. I can surely say that I have profited a lot from his views on music and his friendly character.
Haydar Tanrıverdi
ITU Turkish Music State Conservatory
Istanbul, Turkey
In all of my 28 years as a Professor of Kaval at the ITU Turkish Music State Conservatory, I have met only a very small number of students who could live up to the talent and musicality of Batuhan Aydın. What makes him special is not only his high mastery of Turkish folk music, but also his mastery of other traditional musical styles, especially Bulgarian folk music. His focus on musical styles other than the one he was socialized in has helped him to created his own, unique style. Yet, I believe it is not only because of his mastery of the instrumet but also his respectful attitude that I believe he will be able to reach and fulfill his musical goals and dreams.
I believe that Batuhan Aydın is one of the most important kaval players of his generation. I am sure he will make important contributions to not only the music of Turkey, and wish him all the best!