Astana Opera to honor Abai's 180th anniversary with an art song concert
In honour of the 180th anniversary of the great poet, educator, composer, philosopher, Abai Qunanbaiuly, Astana Opera plans to hold a number of significant events, Kazinform News Agency learned from the Astana Opera press service.
The first is the concert Uiyqtap Zhatqan Zhurekti An Oyatar slated for March 2 at the opera house’s Kulyash Baiseitova Chamber Hall.
The concert will feature Shakhimardan Abilov - People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, laureate of the State Prize of Kazakhstan, tenor Nursultan Anuarbek - laureate of international contests, graduate of the Astana Opera International Opera Academy, and soprano Raushan Beskembirova - laureate of international contests, opera academy’s third academic year student.
The evening will feature a cycle of art songs by composer Yerkegali Rakhmadiyev to the poems by Abai Qunanbaiuly which will be performed at the Kulyash Baiseitova Chamber Hall for the first time. Shakhimardan Abilov noted that these seven art songs represent the first vocal cycle in the history of Kazakh classical art song.
“In 1981, while preparing my concert at the conservatory, I discovered an art song by Yerkegali Rakhmadiyev to Abai’s famous poem “Qalyn Elim, Qazaghym, Qairan Zhurtym”, written by him in his student years. This art song remained unpublished and unperformed. Its melody is broad, the sound is high, and the vocal part requires powerful breathing in the upper octaves. In 1986, I performed it for the first time at the Composers Union plenary meeting. Having heard my performance, Yerkegali Rakhmadiyev expressed his gratitude to me for giving new life to his work. Inspired by this, he wrote seven more art songs on Abai’s poems especially for my voice. Thus, the first vocal cycle of 7 art songs based on the great poet’s works in the history of Kazakh professional music was created,” Shakhimardan Abilov said.
The opera singer also emphasized the importance of popularizing great Abai’s heritage.
“The leitmotif and harmony of Abai’s poems are unusual. The themes of his works are incredibly diverse. Mood, love and hate, nature, social and civic lyrics – all this is our life. Each of his poems is a separate philosophy, a separate wisdom. If we understand and follow such a great thinker as Abai, we will take a worthy place in the world,” Shakhimardan Abilov noted.
Yerkegali Rakhmadiyev’s famous art song cycle includes Abai’s poems “Qalyn Elim, Qazaghym, Qairan Zhurtym”, “Zhazdygun Shilde Bolghanda”, “Konilim Qaitty Dostan da, Dushpannan da...”, “Qazhymas Dos Khalykta Zhoq”, “Siz – Qyrghauyl Zhez Qanat”, “Qara Qatyn”, “Konil Qusy Quiqylzhyr Shartarapqa...”. Currently, opera singer Shakhimardan Abilov and Astana Opera’s musical consultant Raushan Beskembirova are preparing to present these seven art songs to the audience in the format of two monocycles.
In addition, the program will feature four art songs by Nagim Mendygaliyev based on Abai’s poems: “Men Salem Zhazamyn”, “Ghashyqtyn Tili – Tilsiz Til”, “Keide Eser Konil Qurghyryn”, “Ghashyqtyq, Qumarlyqpen – Ol Eki Zhol”, arias from Abai Opera by Akhmet Zhubanov and Latif Khamidi, as well as songs based on the poet’s works written by Sydyq Mukhamedzhanov, Mansur Sagatov and Yevgeniy Brussilovsky.
“In the art songs to Abai’s poems, Yerkegali Rakhmadiyev deeply reveals the poet’s philosophical reflections, combining them with modern harmony. The piano part in these works is highly rich and requires from the performer not only impeccable technique, but also a deep understanding of the musical imagery. The complexity of the performance is due to the need to keenly convey the expressive dramaturgy and emotional nuances embedded in the composer’s music. Now, together with Shakhimardan Abilov, we are re-studying all seven art songs. In the process of preparing for the concert, a new edition of this cycle is being created. It will become valuable material for future generations of musicians,” Raushan Beskembirova added.
She also noted that the concert Uiyqtap Zhatqan Zhurekti An Oyatar will open a series of events dedicated to the 180th anniversary of Abai Qunanbaiuly at the opera house, and there are plans to hold several more concerts in the fall featuring works by other composers who wrote music to his poems.
As a reminder, Astana Opera’s repertoire includes works reflecting the life and creative works by Abai. Thus, in 2015, the opera Abai by Akhmet Zhubanov and Latif Khamidi to the libretto by Mukhtar Auezov premiered at the opera house’s Grand Hall. The opera house was awarded the State Prize of Kazakhstan in 2018 for this production.
