K.Baizhanov Concert Association marks 80th anniversary

The collectives remember and venerate traditions of the founders of the Philharmonic, following them with the same excitement and inspiration as in small village halls and on the most prestigious world stages. Indeed, every holiday, whether a governmental date or a holiday of laborers of any sphere or a small family celebration, doesn't go without dancing and singing, without the dombra (Kazakh folk instrument) and the guitar, in a word, without culture and art. And the holiday of ours - the anniversary - we share with you, our partial audience. Karaganda's spectators are known as the owners of brilliant appreciation of lofty values, and as munific and grateful connoisseurs of art. Karaganda Philharmonic is the strongest philharmonic all over the country and deserves the “constellation of brilliant talents” title, with the culture forging ahead. Our talents arose in meticulous work. They strained tireless efforts for getting the best results. Their teachers were world-known and recognized masters. It is a confident step into a bright future. This book was made of facts, remarkable dates, opinions and memoirs and we address it to our wide audience.

K.Baizhanov Concert Association of Karaganda region is the largest local philharmonic. It is widely regarded as “honor of culture”. The Concert Association was formed on 6 March 1938, by the Presidium Resolution of the Karaganda State Executive Committee. Its history begins with talented musicians, virtuosos and kiuyshi (performers of Kazakh folk instrumental play). These artists were participants of the Kazakh chorus that was within the state radio artistic group. The chorus was founded in early 1930 and was directed by K. Baizhanov. Consequently, the history of our anniversary hero began with labor romantics. On 16 April 1990, the Philharmonic received the name of a national artist of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic Kali Bazhanov. The legendary musician made a great contribution to the formation of this Organization. He formed a group of confederates and talented enthusiasts of culture, with whom he established the first traditions of the Philharmonic. These traditions were carefully extended and are increased until these days. Jusipbek Elebekov, Nugiman Abishev, Zabira Jubatova, Rahiy Koyshibaeva, Uriya Tyrdukulova, Kasymjan Babakov, Magayiya Hamzin, Kyan Lekerov, Magayiya Koshkimbaeva, Altyn Alieva, and Kaynuken Alimbaeva played a key role in the formation of Karaganda Philharmonic. It is important to note that K.Baizhanov Concert Association shows deference to the names of founders and treasures in the memory of all facts about these brilliant artists of Kazakh culture. The Karaganda Philharmonic organizes competitions among singers of folk songs named after Jusupbek Elebekov throughout the country. Saryarka will never forget the name of another famous and talented singer – Magayiya Hamzin. He was a Kazakh national artist, national composer-kyishi with wonderful nightingale voice. Aged 5 Magayiya Hamzin got a talent and skills of playing the dombra from his father. The artist has glorified his nation with a fabulous voice. Zabira Jubatova had an intrinsical mezzo-soprano voice. She was one of the first who was given the Honored Artist title in our region. Zabira Jubatova got this title aged 24. She had two jobs: a soloist in the Kazakh Chorus of the Radio Committee and a soloist of Karaganda State Conservatory. She was a very cheerful and modest woman. While telling journalists about herself, she always drew the conversation to this delightsome Chorus that was famous all over the USSR. The Chorus included only soloists. B.Orlov was the director and creator of this Chorus. He brought together twenty brilliant singers, each of whom could enrich any ensemble with a delightful voice. From the very first step, the Concert Association turned to be in the hands of talented people. Its birth was brightened by stars. The founders of the Concert Association made tireless efforts and brought into the world bright ideas day after day. Artistic groups directed by Z.Jubatova and A.Alieva made a great number of concert tours around the countryside and these concert groups impressed the spectators with their amazing artistic skills. Oldest people of the region tell the words of encouragement about these performances till nowadays.

Kali Baizhanov was an absolute working person. In his youth, he worked as a miner in Ekibastuz and as a bricklayer in Zheltay. Being at the age of 12, K.Baizhanov studied melodious and musical art. His teacher was a famous national aqyn and composer Jarulgapberdy (aqyn – Kazakh national singer). He acquainted Kali Bayjanov with the artistic legacy of folk singers such as Birjan, Ahan-sere, Jayay Musa. By the way, Jayay Musa and Kali had the same surnames, which is Bayjanov. It is not only a resonant and well-known surname but also the surname made of two words “bay” and “jan” which are translated as a “ person with a wealthy soul”.

The first collectives and singers include the vocal group “Saryarka”, Kuzymbay Eshimov with his magnificent baritone, Janul Kartabaeva famous for songs accompanied by the dombra on a national radio and tremendous dancer Leyla Hadgimuratova. The 50 years are best remembered for Karaganda spectators for resonant voices of the following ensembles: “With a song in life”, “Miracles without miracles”, “Young Voices”, “Happy Hour”. A lot of spectators were attracted by the One-man Theater founded by E. Heller and V. Grebecheshnikov. During this period Tatyana and Yiry Prujansky formed a popular group which became popular in the Soviet Union. The first light orchestra directed by a legendary conductor Alexander Varlamov gained popularity at once. As all collectives of the Philharmonic, this orchestra visited outlying auls (literally villages). The circus directed by a famous artist Kim Don Niyr was often accompanied by this orchestra. The stellar artist of the circus was talented illusionist I. Okpenov. In 1956, in Karaganda, a strings quartet sprung. This quartet was first to open classical music to the Karaganda audience. In different years, such artists as V. Root, G. Matafanov, A. Sapejnikov, O. Uzink, V. Yakimov, V. Osokin, A. Kagenov, A. Shulman, Z. Diuskina, V. Alpeev and others performed in it. Also this year there was founded the musical lectern which nowadays is the oldest collective of the Philharmonic. Artists of the musical lectern gave concerts, red lectures, told about composers' lives, performed their opuses. These were the teachers and students of music school. One of its students Turksoy Diusen Kaseinov played with a wonderful pianist Ruslana Shternberg. Nowadays Diusen Kaseinov is the Secretary-General of the international organization of the development of Turkic culture. As a result, such kind of events helped to form a sense of music and culture beginning with kindergartens and ending with industrial collectives. It is impossible not to mention the only German ensemble in the USSR called “Freundschaft”. This ensemble was the first local television star. The Freundschaft German ensemble was formed in 1968. There were some difficulties with its formation because in those days the Germans, approaching the international identification and artistic self-expression, were allowed to sing only in public choruses. But “Freundschaft” became popular in a short time all over the USSR, and that was the reason of building the German theatre. The deal of the first director of this idiosyncratical ensemble G. Shmal passed into the hands of V. Kening and E. Smidt. The list of soloist consisted of E. Panner, M. Panner, M. Saks, G. Fot, the Vainer sisters, N. Maysner, J. Jaraspaeva. In 1971 was founded the youth ensemble “Gakku”. It was formed by Kajet Ginoyatova. This woman was the master of art reading of the Karkaralinsk national theatre. Graduates of the popular studio took part in the creation of the ensemble. Among them: A. Salikova, T. Tutanov, M. Mukusheva, C. Kuzeyov, and others. “Gakku” became the “star trek” for such popular singers as Aitgul and Kanat Kudaybergenov. Bolat Suzdukov was accepted into this ensemble at the age of 16. B. Suzdukov is a famous Kazakh guitar player, composer, and arranger of the “Musikola” group and ex-participant of “A-Studio” group. And, of course, it is necessary to mention an Honoured Artist of Kazakhstan Meirhan Adambekov, who made a great contribution to the development of the ensemble “Gakku”. K. Baizhanov Karaganda Concert Association could be passionately titled as a place of birth of Karaganda talents.
In 1968, the German ensemble “Phroindshaft” was set up for the first time in the Karaganda region. And directed by G.Shmalya, E. Penner and M.Penner, M.Saks, G.Fot, and the Vainer sisters made a great contribution to the formation of the collective. Then such performers as N.Maisner, V.Zadoya, B.Bizyur, and Zh.Zharaspaeva joined the ensemble. In different years, the ensemble was directed by V.Kening and E.Shmidt.

In 1956, the quartet of string instruments appeared on the scene. It played a very important role in promoting classical music. Later it became a laureate of the Republican competition. V. Roat, G.Matafonov, an Honored Artist of the Kazakh SSR A.Sapezhnikov, O.Uzing, V.Yakimov, V.Osokin, A.Kagenov, A.Shulman, Z.Dyuskina, V.Alpeev, and others were fruitfully working there during different years. From the beginning of the 60's a laureate of internal competitions, pianist Ruslana Shterenberg pleased residents of the coal capital of Kazakhstan with solo concerts, performing musical compositions from treasuries of the world classics.

In 1971, the youth ensemble “Gakku” was formed by Kajet Ginoyatova. She was a master of reading of Karkaralinsk National Theatre. The graduates of the popular studio took part in the creation of the ensemble. Among them: A. Salikova, T. Tutanov, M. Mukusheva, C. Kuzeyov, and others. “Gakku” became “star trek” for such popular singers as Aitgul and Kanat Kudaybergenov. Bolat Suzdukov was accepted into this ensemble at the age of 16. B. Suzdukov is a famous Kazakh guitar player, composer, and arranger of the “Musikola” group and an ex-participant of the “A-Studio” band. It is necessary to mention an Honoured Artist of Kazakhstan Meirhan Adambekov, who made a great contribution to the development of the ensemble “Gakku”. K. Baizhanov Karaganda Concert Association could be passionately titled as a place of birth of Karaganda talents. 

Our Visitors: Masters of the Arts. 

Many-sided activities of the Philharmonic Society positively influenced the development of a high level of listeners' culture, giving an opportunity to invite the representatives of musical art from the world stage. In different years such artists as L.Vlasenko, E. Grach, S. Rikhter, V. Pikaizen, A. Sevidov, Y. Flier, D. Shafran, D. Oistrakh, L.Kogan, I.Bezrodniy, O.Kagan, N.Gutman (and other soloists), and also the A.Borodin String Quartets, N.Rimsky-Koksok o v, D.Shostakovich appeared on stages of our city. A composer D.Kabalevsky, musicologists S.Vinogradova, and A.Kelberg took part in “The week of music for children and youth”. The listeners were enthralled by the originality and tremendous brilliance of unforgettable performances of the State Honored Ensemble of Folk Dance "Bakhor" and the pop ensemble directed by B.Zakirov from Uzbekistan, the choral and pop collective from Armenia, USSR national artists D. Gnatyuk and A.Solovyanenko, and Ukraine's P.Virskoi State Academic Ensemble of Dance, Russia's State Academic National Orchestra named after N.Osipov, a laureate of the International Competitions the Harp Quartet, national artists of the USSR B. Braun , V. Tolkunova, O. Lepeshinskaya, M.Esambaev, I.Moiseev ensemble of dance, the State Ensemble of Dance of Siberia, Russian Folk Choir named after Pyatnitsky made an indelible impression. The Philharmonic Society, widely popularizing native musical culture, acquainted the public with works of such composers as A. Zhubanov, L. Khamidi, V. Velikanov, S. Mukhamedzhanov, M. Koishibaev, G. Zhubanova, E. Rakhmadiev, N. Mendygaliev, T. Kazhgaliev, A. Serkebaev. Their works were performed by the best musicians of national art, among them B. Tulegenova, E.Serkebaev, R.Baglanova, A.Dnishev, R.Musabaev, K.Kalilambekova, and also such collectives as the Orchestra of Kurmangazy Kazakh National Instruments, “Otrar sazy”, the State Symphonic Orchestra, Abai Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre with such soloists as K.Baiseitova, R. Abdullin, G.Kurmangaliev, B.Dosymzhanov, R. Dzhamanova. Tour performances of orchestras directed by L. Utesov, O. Lundstrem, D. Pokrassa over the Karaganda region have acquainted listeners with jazz and pop music.

On 10 May 1945, the Karaganda Philharmonic was reorganized into an affiliated branch of Jambul Kazakh State Philharmonic. A. Starodubenko was one of the first directors. Peter Iosifovich Yanovitcky was next who made a lot of efforts, art skills, energy and executive talent for increasing the authority and prosperity of the Philharmonic. He led this organization over thirty years and got the title of “Honoured worker of culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan”. After Peter Iosifovich, Yan Mikhailovich Simanovsky became the director. He became the next head of the collective. Later, the general director of the Concert Association was a merited artist Zeynolla Kakyevich Meirambekov. And since 2008 till nowadays, Talgat Nusypovich Idrisov headed the Organization. The invaluable contribution to the development of vocal art and education of young talents in our region was made by a Kazakh SSR national artist Boris Alexandrovich Orlov. He was an educatee of the Saratov Conservatory and the first art director of the Karaganda Philharmonic. Later the position of art director was held by vice managers V. Kening, A. Berikbolov, N. Kusainov and B. Baysagatov. Nowadays G. Ajbagambetov is the deputy general director of art. It is impossible not to mention vice managers such as G. Trigulova and N. Bobrovskaya. These people worked like beavers for years. During these years a solid team of high-level organizers was formed. In the Soviet period, the Karaganda Philharmonic was the repeated winner of many competitions and awards. Red challenge banners of ministries and departments hung in the director's cabinet one upon the other. World-known artists have visited Karaganda many times. On concert venues, such artists as Svyatoslav Teofilovich Richter, Viktor Alexandrovich Pikaizen, David Fedorovich Oistrakh, Leonid Borisovich Kogan, and other soloists had performed. The quartette of stringed instruments named after Alexander Borodin, Nikolay Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov, Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich was established. In the “Music week for children and youth”, a chief child composer of the USSR Dmitry Kabalevsky and famous music experts Svetlana Victorovna Vinogradova and Anatoliy Vitalevich Kelberg took part. Great dancers of the best ensemble groups such as Uzbekistan's ensemble “Bahor”, Igor Moiseev's Russian dancing ensemble,  Ukraine's ensemble named after Pavel Virsky, a Russian ballet dancer Olga Lepeshinskaya and a Chechen ballet artist Mahmud Esambaev took the audience by storm and enslaved spectators' hearts. The Philharmonic diligently promoted the composers of Kazakh art. The opuses of Latif Hamidy, Gaziza Jubanova, Erkegaly Rahmadiev, Tles Kajgaliev were performed by national artists Bibigul Tulegenova and Ermek Serkebaev, Roza Balganova and Alibek Dnishev with orchestral and ensemble accompaniment. All these were the base of spectators' music appreciation. Spectators of our region are delicate connoisseurs of art, strict but appreciative.

The symphony orchestra was founded in 1983. It is one of the strongest symphony orchestras of Kazakhstan. Its founders were graduates of Almaty's Kurmagazy Conservatory. An Honoured Artist and professor Tolepbergen Abdrashev was the first art director and the tutor of this orchestra. Talented conductors such as N. Klinov, V. Noretc, S. Ferulev, and K. Akhmetov worked for the development of the symphony orchestra. Under the direction of a famous conductor Peter Gribanov, the orchestra develops their professional skills year after year. The collective performed a great number of music programs. Among these programs were subscriptions for young listeners and students and named concerts of Kazakh composers. Remarkable masters of music art and famous conductors of Kazakhstan and Russia performed with the orchestra with great pleasure. An Honoured Artist of Kazakhstan Duiysen Kasinov was the first organizer of a foreign concert tour of the symphony orchestra to France. Under the direction of a prize winner of the All-Russian competition of conductors Peter Gribanov, the collective had performed concert tours in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, Lvov, and Almaty. The orchestra confirmed its art reputation in France (in 2003, under the conduction of B. Rahimjanov), in Spain (in 2007 under the conduction of A. Torybaev) with the participation of World's Artist A. Musahodjaeva. In 2009, the symphony orchestra made a concert tour around German countries under the direction of a maestro A. Torybaev and P. Gribanov. Also, they performed in the Cologne Philharmonic Hall. A Kazakh honored artist Janiya Aubakirova: - The orchestra had a brilliant performance. I adore this collective. And as for chief conductor Peter Gribanov, I can say that he is an absolute bar of gold, natural and true. It is luck for Karaganda that this talented person works there. An honored artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan Gaukhar Murzabekova: - the Karaganda audience is very lucky. To perform as your orchestra does mean to love music more than anything else. An honored artist of Kazakhstan, Russia and Tatarstan Fuat Mansurov: - The Karaganda symphonic orchestra owns specific musical culture. And by the virtue of the audience, Karaganda established a reputation of a musical capital of the state. Art director of the symphonic orchestra of Lvov Philharmonic Aidar Torubaev: - Today the symphony orchestra of Karaganda Philharmonic is one of the most incomparable and well-handled collectives in the country. It is practically the only orchestra with which it is possible to make proper international projects without extra time and force. An honored artist of Kazakhstan, Professor Kanat Akhmetov: - I've become the chief conductor of the symphony orchestra in Karaganda. I worked here for three and a half years. And I can say that these were very happy moments, but difficult ones. I have been collaborating with you during ten years and consider that the national wind band is your sworn brother.

Peter Gribanov is the owner of an unequal tuneful rumor and perfect memory. He gained his first fame in the years of studding. He could play at a sight symphony score of any difficulty. The repertoire of the maestro numbers more than six hundred opuses. Chief conductor of the symphony orchestra Peter Gribanov began his career of a maestro in 1982 after graduating the conduction faculty of Leningrad Conservatory, in the class of G.L Erjemsky. The first place of his work was the Irkutsk symphony orchestra. He had worked there for seven years. During these years P. Gribanov became the winner of the first prize of the second all-Russian competition among the conductors in Ulyanovsk. In 1988, he became the diploma winner of the final all-Union competition among conductors in Omsk and Novosibirsk. In the same year, the maestro finished postgraduate courses of the Novosibirsk Conservatory, in the class of a national artist A.M. Katz. Since 1989, Peter Gribanov had worked as the chief conductor of the Karaganda symphony orchestra. The maestro had an appointment as the chief conductor in the Krasnoyarsk academic symphony orchestra. He headed the symphony orchestra of St. Petersburg's Philharmonic society. Peter Gribanov worked as a teacher in the St. Petersburg Conservatory. In 2006, Gribanov spearheaded Rostov Academic symphony orchestra and since this year resumed his job in Karaganda. - I wish that every country has such spectators like in Karaganda – says Maestro. – Everyone who comes for our concerts wants to listen and is able to understand the most difficult musical compositions. And this is our merit, too, because it is not so easy to educate true taste for one concert, and even for a month.

The orchestra of Kazakh folk instruments was founded in 1988. It consisted of the graduates of Almaty's Kurmangazy Conservatory. Recently the orchestra has celebrated its 25th anniversary. In 1990, the collective had received the name of a grand national composer - Tattimbet. Nowadays the orchestra named after Tattimbet is proudly called “Academic Orchestra”.

The first conductor of the collective was an honored artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan Duiysen Ykibay. He developed the professional skills of the orchestra and worked out a concrete repertoire policy that preserved until these days. A combination of different musical genres and styles is in its foundation, which smoothly interknits Kazakh traditional music with modern. For this moment, the Tattimbet orchestra is one of the highly professional collectives throughout Kazakhstan.

In 1992, an honored artist of the USSR, winner of the State prize, Professor Shamgon Kajgaliev was invited to direct the Kazakh orchestra. The richest knowledge and experience of the maestro reached the technical mastery of musicians. During the period from 1991 to 1992, K. Sayjanov, the chief conductor of the orchestra, had made a contribution to the development of the collective.

Since 2008 till 2013, the orchestra was directed by Erlan Baktygerey. The Tattimbet academic orchestra of folk Kazakh instruments had concert tours to France, USA, Sweden, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Russia, South Korea, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
An honored artist of the USSR, winner of the State prize, Professor Shamgon Kajgaliev:
- The Tattimbet orchestra differs from others national orchestras by a lofty tone, soft pianissimo, threatful fortissimo and the sense of unity. There is one more feature of this collective: all orchestral groups complicated regularly. I took into account the limitations of the Kurmangazy collective and enhanced the middle register. Harmonically the middle register in the tenor dombra gives a lofty tone, and a melodic function in the kobuz, supplied by two or three surnays and subuzgu (surnay and subuzgu – Kazakh folk instruments like Alpine horns) and a small bass group doesn't dominate. By this way, it is possible to get proportional tones in all registers. In most of orchestras, bass instruments dominate, but in the orchestra named after Tattimbet, bass instruments harmonically fits in a general lofty tone. An honored artist of Kazakhstan, winner of the State prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurgaly Nusipjanov:
- I had to perform with many orchestras and ensembles in major concerts. My art attainments correlated with Kurmangazy State academic orchestra. The orchestra “Otrar sazu” also witnessed my victories in art. At the same row of these highly professional collectives, the orchestra of Kazakh folk instruments named after Tattimbet can stand. The concerts with this orchestra are bright pages of the art of my life.

I value the advertence and technical mastery of this collective. This orchestra is
one of the progressive and worth the high praise. A Kazakh honored artist of Kazakhstan, Professor Aldabergen Myrzabekov: - I know a lot of orchestras of folk instruments. And performed on repeated occasions with the Tattimbet orchestra. This orchestra tries to create its own art path, develops its repertoire policy paying attention to the regional peculiarities and possesses its own performing identity and artistic attitude to the opuses. It is impossible to misrecognize it with some other orchestras. I consider that this collective is one of the best in the state. It doesn't come short of the Kurmangazy State academic orchestra. An Uzbek honored artist, Professor, chief conductor of the T.Jalilov Farukh Sadukov State Academic orchestra: - I have been working for many years with Kazakh orchestras of folk instruments. I have a good acquaintanceship with the Kurmangazy State academic orchestra and the orchestra “Otrar sazu”. But I was pleasantly astonished by an art atmosphere and the high professionalism of the Tattimbet orchestra. I was lucky to work with this collective by the virtue of the chief conductor's invitation. In a short time, we made the most difficult program of Central Asian and Uzbek composers. These opuses are not typical for performing on the folk Kazakh instruments. But despite everything the orchestra got through this task and exceeded my expectations. Of course, it is the result of well-aimed and systematic work of its directors. I was glad to work with such a collective. A prize winner of international competitions and the Darun state prize, accordionist Damir Sultanov: This collective is mobile, professional, dynamic. It was a pleasure to work with this orchestra.
 
The appearance of the orchestra under the direction of Varlamov was the most notable event of the middle of the last century for our region. Officially, it was a popular orchestra, but in its repertoire, there was an enormous place for jazz, that's why the collective was named as “Big-Bend”. On the occasion of the centenary of the birth of legendary Varlamov, several years ago, the jazz orchestra made a concert under the direction of Igor Andreychenko. The diplomatic community of the Russian embassy, who specially came from Astana for this concert, were amazed by the technical mastery of the Karaganda ensemble and since then our big-band has been called as “followers of Varlamov”. The jazz orchestra had appeared in the Philharmonic thanks to Yan Simanovsky, the director of the Philharmonic of those days. In summer 1994, when Yan Mikhaylovich saw the performance of the circus orchestra over the square near the Cultural Centre of Miners, he understood at once, that this was a completed swing group. Sooner the orchestra had taught first five opuses of Soviet jazz classic and made a debut on the stage of the concert hall “Shalkuma”. Such luxuriance as the large jazz orchestra could be hardly allowed in every state. By the way, our band is well-known abroad and “followers of Varlamov” won the most prestigious festivals. The orchestra is obtained as very flexible and hardworking by a great number of famous musicians who had visited Karaganda. Notable stars such as Sergey Jilin, Yaakov Han, Valeriy Bannov, Natalya Soboleva, Eugenie Serebrennikov, Lundstrem's quartette of the Moscow-Transit chamber orchestra, the most famous and the youngest ladies of jazz Ann Buturlina and Ann Koroleva and the Almaty collective “Art-Vocal” had already been here. Director of the vocal quartette “Vocal-Trasit” Dmitry Arbuzov (Moscow): - I am astonished by the mastery of your big-band and by the artistic talent of Igor Andreychenko. We always come to Karaganda with great pleasure and plan to cooperate in the future. The soloist of the orchestra named after Tolkachev (Novosibirsk): - The performance culture is very important for me, and serious jazz I can stand on the level of classical music. As a missioner of jazz, I respect Igor Andreychenko. And your big-band is very flexible and hardworking with brilliant saxophonists and percussionists. A composer and arranger Yaakov Han (Almaty): - Karaganda takes a peculiar place among other regions. I can play with an orchestra. And it is a great pleasure to play with this amazing and hardworking collective. I can always feel the emotional energy of the audience here. A director of the jazz band “Art-Vocal” Irina Barabash (Almaty): - Jazz festivals are held in Kazakhstan with increasing frequency. The interest of these concerts arises year after year. And Karaganda always was the place of graceful music lovers. We like to come here, your audience is wonderful.

Over 25 years, King of Jazz Igor Andreychenko has been working as an art director and chief conductor of the big-band of K.Bayjanov Concert Association. He plays the tuba, conducts the orchestra, and likes fishing, hunting, and billiards. Maestro Andreychenko captured the audience with his love for jazz and could attain reciprocal feelings of admirers of this elite and age-specific genre. He shared his love with everyone, finding the variety of tuneful colors in singing or in performing instrumental compositions. Stepping on the stage, Igor Andreychenko always mystifies the audience. And it doesn't matter if it is a regular or current festival. We are waiting for surprises and as usual, he presents it to us with a bountiful hand. The maestro shows new compositions and acquaints with new names. It is easy to pretend him with a gun, with spinning the reels and a conductor's baton. And it is impossible to pretend him inoperative and tired. We know that new holidays hide behind his inscrutable smile. That's just who he is –  a non-standard countryman, a missioner of jazz Igor Andreychenko. Last year Karaganda's King of Jazz celebrated his 50th anniversary.
 
The Akku folk-dance ensemble celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. During the time of its existence, the ensemble has traveled over half of the world and had enthusiastic spectators in each place. As the folk-dance collective “Arka sazu”, the ensemble “Akku” is a permanent participant of ethnic festivals. These collectives are connected by a strong friendship. Dances of graceful girls of “Akku” ensemble looks specifically effective accompanied by “Arka sazu”. Under the direction of Horlan Mukatova, the dancers achieved great success. For this day, in the repertoire of the ensemble, there are over 40 dances of different nations. These dances have been choreographed by the famous dancing-masters for twenty years. The ensemble performed in different countries of the world: Germany, South Korea, Iraq, Switzerland, France, Turkey, and Sweden. Today, a director of the ensemble is Nazgul Avilkhan, a native of Mongolia. She had returned to the historical homeland in 1992. For the first time, she has been working as a singing teacher at the village school. She has organized a dancing hobby club there. Nazgul Avilkhan has participated in the numbers of competitions. Soon the glory of the professional dancer reached the capital of the region. Nazgul was invited to the regional S.Seyfulin Kazakh theatre. Soon after that she got acquainted with Horlan Mukatova and became the head of the “Akku” ensemble. - I work as a teacher at the Tattimbet college. And I train qualify dancers myself, - secret Nazgul says. – I participate in the selection of candidates while the admission into the college. We draw our attention to the looks of the girls, to their complexion, constitution, rhythm, musicality, in one word, everything that the dancer must possess. Flexibility and soft body movements are in the list of important criteria. While dancing girls “burst in blossom”. Of course, they have to work hard for getting good results. Classic is the bottom of every dance. That is why classic is the basis of my subject. We choreograph folk dances in a strict conformity with original national traditions. In Mongolia, I worked in the State ensemble and we performed a variety of dances, which included Kazakh dances, too.
The folk ensemble “Arka sazu” participates in every event or artistic life of the Karaganda region. It has become a tradition that this ensemble opens concerts and specifies the cheerful mood of the audience. This passionately and extraordinary ensemble will celebrate its 10th anniversary. There are more than about 200 opuses in the repertoire of “Arka sazu”, among which rare Kazakh national songs, kuiys, opuses of local composers, and songs of world nationalities. The director of the ensemble is Zamzagul Sharipova. The soloists of the ensemble always sing and play without phonogram. The Russian song “The Moon Shines” or a temperamental Latin-American melody sound unusual and recognized played on the Kazakh folk instruments by “Arka sazu”. This success came by the virtue of an art director Abdugalsin Shokanbaev. Also, the repertoire of the ensemble includes melodies loved by the head of the state. Such instruments as dombra, jetugen, asatayak, saz, surnay, kul-kobuz (are national Kazakh folk instruments) form harmonic ensemble as if it is a single instrument. This tone is getting by the efforts of a concertmaster, prize winner of the Republic competition among dombra players Balkhan Smagulov. Gulgaysha Kapen is the prize winner of the Republic competition. She is not only a soloist but also a jetugen player. As usual, while singing Gulgausha accompanies herself by the jetugen. It is impossible not to mention the brilliant voice of Gulmira Tapay, the prize winner of the international competition “Shabut”. The folk ensemble has already visited France, Kuwait, Germany, Turkey, Oman, and Malaysia. “Arka sazu” is the prize winner of the International competition “Shabut” and the winner of the Karaganda region Governor's prize “Kaynar”.

The “Merey”, “Ayen” and “Aray” ensembles were the continuers of the musical lectern's traditions. They actively give concerts in state and local kindergartens and schools and open to the youngest spectators of the splendid world of music. The ensembles prepare special programs for every notable event. All three collectives came up with the invention of their own programmes for the Kazakhstan Aziada. The programmes were about the composers' oeuvre, such as Shamshi Kaldayakov and Alexander Zacepin, inspired wonder of the audience. During school vacations, these ensembles give fabulous concerts. Serik Asanbaev is the director of the ensemble “Merey”. The concertmaster of the ensemble is the oldest worker of the Philharmonic Boris Propishan. The concert programs of “Merey” are based on classic and modernity. Age-old romances, retro songs, time-proved hits of Kazakh and Russian singers, the newest schlagers accompanied by violin (Lyudmila Propishan), guitar (Serik Asanbaev), grand piano (Boris Propishan) and saxophone (Sergey Stepanovich) are performed by astonishing voices of Nadejda Zukova, Gulmira Jakupbaeva, Asel Karabaeva, Surym Hordin, Kuat Diusenov, Erbol Alshinbaev and Medey Murashimov. The grateful audience didn't forget the name of a previous soloist of the ensemble “Merey” E. Kichikiyan. The first emcee, I. Grakova, had fostered the real pleiads of her followers. Today, the emcee of the concerts is Elena Timoshenko. And it is impossible to forget about O. Serebrakova with her charm and talent. The ensemble “Merey” with its various programmes give concerts at schools, kinder gardens, libraries, universities, local and state enterprises. The collective gives about ten performances per month. Every summer one of the oldest ensembles of  K.Baizhanov Concert Association made a concert tour around rural regions.

The ensemble “Ayen” was founded in 1995. It promotes Kazakh folk music, the opuses of Kazakh composers and the accomplishment of the youth in the best Kazakh traditions. The founder of the ensemble was an honorary worker of culture Makhat Rymjanov. Today it is headed by Munira Mykhajanova, the owner of the Karaganda region Governor's prize and a diploma of the government of Kazakhstan. Practically all participants of “Ayen” gained titles and prestigious awards. In the first cast of the ensemble included honored workers of the Republic of Kazakhstan, they were J. Kemalov and T. Idrisov, merited workers of the Mongolian People's Republic K. Junusov and the duet B. Mashan and G. Avilkhan. The concert programs of the ensemble harmonically combine folk songs, Kazakh and foreign classic and opuses of the popular genre. The soloists perform with the accompaniment of keyboard instruments and the dombra. For this moment, in the “Ayen” collective there are the best voices of the Philharmonic – Erkebulan Erikov, Aidar Kappasov, Dulat Akhanov, Dinara Tyrlina, the duet “Eles” within Kamshat Nasurova and Madina Janabaeva. The concertmaster of the ensemble is Alexander Gerasimov. With great programmes, “Ayen” performs for diverse spectators, including foreign guests. The ensemble gave a concert for the delegation from the Vatican, which came to Karaganda to participate in the opening of the cathedral church. The soloists of “Ayen” made concert tours to France, Germany, and Turkey.
 
In the honor of the first birth date of the ensemble “Aray” in spring 2012, it gave a great acoustic concert on the stage of K.S.Stanislavsky Karaganda State Russian Theatre. The vocalists of “Aray” are distinguished by the capacity to perform as solo and in ensembles of any quantity. The prize winners of international and public competitions such as Araylum Jukenova, Gulbany Serikova, Gulnar Koshenova, Nemere Mongolkhan, and Alibek Shakenov sing as solo and together. All these singers have a special felicity. The repertoire of the ensemble is wide as well as the diapason of its performers. Folk songs, Kazakh and foreign popular music, jazz, all these music genres are in the repertoire of young talents. The ensemble also consists of saxophonist Valery Sosnoviy, a singer of traditional songs Daurenbek Arkhenov and a singer Olga Fadeeva. This collective often gives concerts in Karaganda State organizations and enterprises and makes concert tours around the region. - I'm glad that I was confined in the youngest collective, - says Alexander Sevostyanov, - and I'm pleased with the young talents. I try to teach my students to work hard. And of course I try to explain that the success will not come at once, that's why they do the best for getting good results. Simultaneously with concert activity, the ensembles “Merey”, “A yen” and “Aray” engage the outreach activity. And these activities honored by grateful letters, and what is more important, by love and appreciation of the audience.

Talgat Idrisov has a wide range of artistic skills. His vocal repertoire is immensely rich and various. It includes operatic arias and songs which are in the Gold portfolio of Kazakh radio. The honored artist has a great number of artistic abilities. The executive talent of Talgat Idrisov helps him perfectly manage with the official capacity of the general director of K.Baizhanov Karaganda State Concert Association since 2008. In Almaty's Kurmangazy State Conservatory his teacher was a Kazakh honored artist of Murat Musabaev. T. Idrisov had auditions, took master classes of such national artists as Bibigyl Tulegenova, Ermek Serkebaev, Nariman Karajigitov, Shara Umbetalieva. By the was invited to the Karaganda Orchestra of Kazakh folk instruments as a soloist-vocalist. He has been working in the K. Baizhanov Concert Association since 1989. In 2001 T. Idrisov became the vice director and in 2008 was appointed to the post of General Director.
Meirhan Adambekov was the prize winner of the first Republic competition of singers named after Kashaybaev in 1980. He has finished the Republic popular studio. From 1981 till 1984 he had worked in the ensemble “Gakku”. - We have traveled all over all regions of Kazakhstan, distant auls and hibernating area. We shared our art with the nation. – remembers Meirhan Adambekov. – And now, as for me, a general mission of culture and art workers is to save all rich heritage of the previous years and give it into the hands of the youth. M. Adambekov considers that today's youth is rather talented and holds in respect their origins. Meirhan Adambekov is acquainted with young talents very close, as he spearheads Karaganda's Tattimbet college of art. He is a teacher of singing on the dombra.

After graduating from the Tattimbet music school in Karaganda, Abdugalsin Shokanbaev entered Almaty's Kurmangazy State Conservatory. In 1984 he got a certificate in conducting. Since then he began to teach orchestral classes and the specialty of a conductor in Karaganda College of Art. During this time, Abdugalsin Shokanbaev trained over hundreds of students, most of which achieved success in this complicated job. Since 1988 the conductor has been working in the Tattimbet academic orchestra of Kazakh national instruments. He is the art director of the folk ensemble “Arka sazy”. Abdugalsin Jarulkasumovich speaks about his profession this way: “The conductor is often defined as a dictator, but my position is that the talent of psychologist should dominate,” – confesses the honored artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan. – “I prefer the way of diplomacy, and always achieve the goal – to explain my interpretation to every musician. There is no certain star in the orchestra. The orchestra is as a one, big and general team”.
Gayni Boltaeva is a teacher and a musician. She presents her high art of playing the kobuz to the thousands of listeners (Kobuz – Kazakh folk instrument). The musician enculturates a dozen students. Since 1996 Gayni Boltaeva has been working as a concertmeister-kobuz player at the Karaganda academic orchestra of Kazakh folk instruments named after Tattimbet. Today she is a brilliant master and talented teacher. Gayni Boltaeva had trained a number of prize winners of the Republic competitions. These talents graduated from the college of art named after Tattimbet and her native school of art for talented children. In 1994 Gayni Boltaeva was given a title of honored artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The father of a famous virtuoso Bolathan Tashimov was an honored teacher of the state. There were no musicians in his family, but Bolathan had appreciated the dombra since childhood. Nowadays the success of Bolathan Tashimov is pursued by his daughter Aynash. Aynash is the prize winner of the international competition of pianists. After graduation from Almaty's Kurmangazy State Conservatory Bolatahan Tashimov began his career in Tattimbet Academic Orchestra in Karaganda. He has been working there from the very beginning of its foundation. The artist is famous for his brilliant performing of kiuys of Kazakh folk composers. He assumed the position of the first dombra in the orchestra and performed solo many times. Bolathah Tashimov is the prize winner of the Republic festival “Jiger”, the second competition named after Kurmangazy. In 2007, B. Tashimov had got a title of honored artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Jaksugeldi Kemalov mastered his skills of playing the dombra in the childhood. He gained popularity and impressed native people by the virtue of his unique, strong and wonderful voice tone. Jaksugeldi Kemalov is a frequent prize winner of Republic competitions. In 1992, the singer became the prize winner of Kazakhstan Youth Union. Jaksugeldi Kemalov finished the philological faculty of Karaganda State University and began to work in the Kazakh orchestra of folk instruments. With this collective, he gave numbers of performances all over the country and abroad. Jaksugeldi always remained faithful to Kazakh folk songs and enriches his repertoire regularly. About forty songs, performed by this singer have got into the Gold portfolio of Kazakh radio. His idols and teachers were talented people Kayrat Baybosunov and Janibek Karmenov. Jaksugeldi Kemalov is the winner of Karaganda Region Governor's prize. In 2011, he gained the title of honored artist of the Republic of Kazakstan”.

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