Kazakhstan, pronounced (kuh-zahk-STAHN) is a country in Central Asia that comprises 2,724,900 sq km of territory including land and water areas. This is about four times the size of the state of Texas. It borders China, Kyrgyzstan , Russia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Kazakhstan is home to a wide variety of natural beauty, vast natural resources, modern cities and cutting-edge architecture. One of the features of Kazakh culture is a great love for and appreciation of music.
Stanford University was the host for an afternoon of remembering the life and music of Kazakhstan's most celebrated and revered musician in modern times: Karshyga Akhmedyarov. (Pronounced: “karsh-ah-gya awk-med-yair-uv”).
He was a consummate and much loved player of the two string Kazakhstan lute called the 'dombra'. He composed over 300 compositions, transcribed over 500 folk songs, and orchestrated many works for the dombra. On display were various items Including CD's of his music, videos, a dombra, and books of dombra music he transcribed.
The afternoon began with a cultural lesson in the form of a slide show that highlighted the natural wonders of Kazakhstan and its unique architecture and heritage. A short lecture followed with video performances of Karshyga Akhmedyarov's dombra playing.
The afternoon concluded with a stunning, very beautiful violin and piano performance that featured Karshyga Akhmedyarov's daughter, Raushan Akhmedyarova. Ms. Akhmedyarova is a concert violinist of extraordinary talent who has played with the San Francisco Symphony under the baton of conductor Michael Tilson Thomas for many years.
Ms. Akhmedyarova played pieces her father wrote that were transcribed for piano and violin a first time premiere at this concert. One example of these compositions is, Kosbasar I, Kosbasar II, and Kosbasar III, dedicated to his children. The compositions were written in such a way as to convey different qualities, personalities and characters.
In addition, pieces from the classical repertoire were played that her father particularly loved, including the Rondo Capriccioso by Saint-Saëns.
Ms. Akhmedyarova tone was consistently beautiful throughout. The violin in the hands of an amateur can sound thin or squeaky, but in the hands of Ms. Akhmedyarova it became an instrument of transformation. A rich, full, robust tone flowed from the instrument a sound of rare beauty and virtuosity seldom heard.
Ms. Akhmedyarova's intention of honoring her father and his legacy was definitely achieved. Any father would be proud of a daughter who has reached the level and stature that Ms. Akhmedyarova has attained.
Examiner.com caught up with Ms. Akhmedyarova for an exclusive interview:
Examiner: When you look back on your father's life and career, in what ways has he influenced Kazakh music and culture?
Akhmedyarova: There are different Schools of playing dombra in Kazakhstan (East, West, South and North) and most dombra players are usually accomplished in one style only. My dad was a Master of ALL the styles.
He was a committed proponent of dombra Music and its unique genre: Kuyi. Since this genre - Kuyi – is somewhat improvisational, it was traditionally passed from generation to generation only through teacher-student type playing and learning. It was never written down.
Karshyga was the first pioneer to publish and put in print over 500 written works for dombra which he himself performed and recorded for future generations.
That itself is a huge contribution for the preservation of this unique Art form and the Music of Kazakhstan.
Examiner: Your father was a dombrist. What can you tell me about this instrument? Is it unique to Kazakhstan?
Akhmedyarova: Dombra - is a two stringed instrument with a long neck, it is a plucked instrument with gut strings. It takes a lot of virtuosity to play different styles and techniques on it and most of all to convey the different colors and sounds of Nature.
What is unique about this instrument is that it touches the spirit of each and every Soul in Kazakhstan. Sometimes violin, piano or symphony orchestra may not touch the people so much, but the sound of dombra will touch them immediately and uplift their spirit.
I haven't heard anybody from Kazakhstan who says they don't like the sound of the Dombra. It is almost like the sound is in our blood and DNA. Dombra is very much a big part of who Kazakh people are!
Examiner: What was it like growing up in your family household?
Akhmedyarova: I grew up in the Ocean of Music from birth. There was always music in our house. It was almost strange if one didn't hear music in our home. Dad would always bring various musicians in and they would improvise and jam until dawn sometimes.
Needless to say, I wanted to be a musician! Dad not only showed us by his own example but was a great mentor in this challenging path of being a musician. He was a diligent, strict disciplinarian as well as a gentle, caring and loving father.
Examiner: You have soared to virtuosic heights on your instrument that few rarely achieve. In what ways has your fathers influence brought you to where you are today?
Akhmedyarova: My major musical influence was my father. He had a huge impact on my life. I feel very lucky to have been growing and learning in such a traditional family, always hearing traditional folk music and later getting an opportunity to be exposed to and study Western music. Now combining both worlds and performing with the highest level musicians is a great heritage I have received from my ancestors.
My dad left a huge legacy of music - he composed more than 300 pieces - including audio and video recordings and books. I'm trying to collect some of his music and possibly transcribe it for the violin. I want to honor his memory and his musicianship, and say thank you. Who I am today I owe to my father.
Examiner: When you reflect on the music of Kazakhstan what endearing qualities do you feel the music has to offer to the world?
Akhmedyarova: Music of Kazakhstan is little known here in the West. But if one listens carefully, first I would say it very much reflects the geographical location of the country. The sounds of the wide Middle Asian Steppes, mountains, horses, and abundant, rich Nature.
Dombra music in particular, I would say from olden times, players would try to convey the sounds of Nature. Since my ancestors were nomads, traveling from place to place, they would put that in their music as well: each piece would picture some particular bird sound, the sound of a river, or the sound of wind, etc.
Thank you Ms. Akhmedyarova for taking time to talk with us today. Best of luck in your endeavors to raise awareness about your father's life and music.
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