The court composer for Turkey's sultan Abdul Hammid II, Kemani Tatyos Efendi lay the foundations of classical Turkish music. A prolific composer, Efendi wrote a wide variety of instrumental and vocal pieces including xarkis or art songs, saz semais, and pexruvs. The Kudsi Erguner Ensemble paid homage to Efendi with two albums -- Instrumental Works and Vocal Masterpieces -- released in 1996. ~ Craig Harris