Büşra Kayıkçı

Born and raised in Istanbul, Türkiye, Büşra Kayıkçı was introduced at an early age to artistic interests such as the piano, ballet and painting. As a young person she became fascinated with the work of classical and contemporary artists in a variety of fields. In 2011, having studied interior architecture and environmental design, and inspired by composers such as John Cage and Nils Frahm, she began to incorporate musical elements into her concept of design.

Over the years, Büşra Kayıkçı became increasingly convinced that a composer is in fact following the same path as a designer: the materials might be different, but the principles are basically the same. Using all the techniques she had acquired, she devoted herself increasingly to designing sound, drawing on influences from her everyday environment to create minimalist and modern classical compositions. In particular, she was attracted to the idea of creating new piano sounds through manipulating the instrument in different ways.

Kayıkçı’s interdiscplinary approach is also reflected in the visual assets that relate to her music. She creates these either completely on her own or in collaboration with friends and colleagues in visual design.

“I believe that, when listening to a song, we travel from space to space, and from time to time. When a melody touches you deeply, you can experience a place with your mind and your soul. So it is not only architects or engineers who can make a construction. Composers design an atmosphere with their musical instruments, transporting the listener to cities, gardens and landscapes.”  Büşra Kayıkçı

In November 2019, Kayıkçı independently released the single ‘Doğum’ (Turkish for ‘Birth’), which was soon followed by her debut album ‘Eskizler’ (Turkish for ‘Sketches’), a collection of nine minimalist solo piano pieces. Among her subsequent digital singles were: ’Tuna’ (released in 2020), which was recorded on the Una Corda instrument built by piano maker David Klavins in Hungary; ‘Kuledibi No. 1’, created in collaboration with an Istanbul-based fashion brand and mainly inspired by the brand’s showroom, located in Istanbul’s emblematic Galata district, which for centuries has been home to people of numerous different identities, cultures and religions, and ‘Qarib’, which was included in the first Piano Day compilation, released in 2022 by Nils Frahm’s Leiter Verlag.

Büşra Kayıkçı on her piece ‘Doğum’:

“This piece is my first composition, which I wrote back in 2019. Until then, I had never thought of myself as a composer or, to be honest, ever even dreamed of it. After writing it, I felt that this song was the melody of a newborn child. A new me. That's why I named it ‘Birth’.”

One of Kayıkçı’s most significant interdisciplinary projects to date was a collaboration with the New York Theatre Ballet in 2020. Choreographer Melissa Toogood used her music for a piece of contemporary dance, performed by Monica Lima, which was praised by the New York Times.

Kayıkçı’s new digital EP ‘Eskizler/Sketches revisited’ marks her recording debut with Warner Classics. She has created new versions of five of her earliest works, music which has played a significant role in bringing her where she is today. Revisiting them and seeing them through today’s eyes, she is simultaneously looking back and looking forward.

Büşra Kayıkçı on her piece ‘Yol’ (Turkish for ‘Path’):

“Being on the road is a very important and fundamental concept of Sufism. The repeated arpeggios in my left hand in this piece reminded me of a wheel that was constantly turning, and therefore of being on the road.”

After an initial series of concerts in Turkey, Kayıkçı’s performing career has taken off internationally with exclusive live appearances in the UK and central Europe in 2022/23. Further international concerts will be announced soon. And a new album is already in the making – with release currently planned for late 2023. So, stay tuned!