Biography
Guitarist and composer Kemal Belevi creates works shaped by the varied cultural strands of his native Cyprus, an island long marked by partition. Recognition has come both for his original pieces and for his activities as a performer.
Born in Nicosia in 1954, Belevi grew up in the Turkish-speaking northern region yet absorbed influences from Greek, Middle Eastern, and western European traditions alongside his Turkish heritage. He began playing guitar at age eleven and, three years later, joined his brother’s ensemble, which focused on rock and pop. Classical guitar remained a parallel pursuit, prompting his relocation to the United Kingdom in 1972 for advanced training; he lived there until 1996. In 1974 he registered for music courses at Southgate College, later incorporated into Barnet and Southgate College. Three years afterward he auditioned before composer William Lloyd Webber, father of Andrew and Julian, who encouraged him to seek admission to the London College of Music. Accepted, Belevi studied composition under David McBridge, a pupil of Benjamin Britten, and guitar with David Russell. The college awarded him a fellowship in 1981 for continued work, and several of his guitar pieces continue to serve as examination repertoire there.
Belevi has appeared in recital across the United Kingdom, continental Europe, Turkey, and Cyprus. He regularly conducts master classes at guitar festivals and serves on competition juries, and he has authored a guitar method. His first published compositions appeared in 1985 with the release of Five Preludes for David Russell, premiered in London the next year. Five guitar concertos followed, along with a range of chamber scores after 2001. Although he frequently performs his own music, other musicians—including those in Russia—have also taken it up. Guitarist Philippe Villa recorded Belevi’s Five Romantic Pieces in 2003. In 2020, Duo Tandem released an album of his guitar duos, each part captured separately by the players during pandemic restrictions.
Born in Nicosia in 1954, Belevi grew up in the Turkish-speaking northern region yet absorbed influences from Greek, Middle Eastern, and western European traditions alongside his Turkish heritage. He began playing guitar at age eleven and, three years later, joined his brother’s ensemble, which focused on rock and pop. Classical guitar remained a parallel pursuit, prompting his relocation to the United Kingdom in 1972 for advanced training; he lived there until 1996. In 1974 he registered for music courses at Southgate College, later incorporated into Barnet and Southgate College. Three years afterward he auditioned before composer William Lloyd Webber, father of Andrew and Julian, who encouraged him to seek admission to the London College of Music. Accepted, Belevi studied composition under David McBridge, a pupil of Benjamin Britten, and guitar with David Russell. The college awarded him a fellowship in 1981 for continued work, and several of his guitar pieces continue to serve as examination repertoire there.
Belevi has appeared in recital across the United Kingdom, continental Europe, Turkey, and Cyprus. He regularly conducts master classes at guitar festivals and serves on competition juries, and he has authored a guitar method. His first published compositions appeared in 1985 with the release of Five Preludes for David Russell, premiered in London the next year. Five guitar concertos followed, along with a range of chamber scores after 2001. Although he frequently performs his own music, other musicians—including those in Russia—have also taken it up. Guitarist Philippe Villa recorded Belevi’s Five Romantic Pieces in 2003. In 2020, Duo Tandem released an album of his guitar duos, each part captured separately by the players during pandemic restrictions.
Albums
