Kodalli was considered as one of the most influential classical composers of the republican era in Turkey.
Kodalli began studying composition in the Ankara State Conservatory at the age of 10 with Hasan Ferit Alnar and Necil Kazim Akses, the two members of a group of Turkish classical composers known as the Turkish Five, the pioneers of western style classical music in Turkey.
Kodalli studied composition Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris with Arthur Honegger, and orchestral conducting with Jean Fornet, and Nadia Boulanger.
Kodalli's works include Ataturk Oratory Op.13, Republic Cantata Op.25, Gilgamis Op. 19 (opera in four acts).
