The folk music of the Kyrgyz has developed over centuries. The traditions of oral folk art remain strong to this day. Kyrgyz folklore vividly and expressively reflects almost all aspects of nomadic life, historical events, and the relationships of the Kyrgyz with their surrounding environment. Modern folk groups in Kyrgyzstan, drawing on such rich material, have many opportunities for creative development.
1. Folklore-Ethnographic Ensemble “KambarKan”
The folklore ensemble “KambarKan” was established in 1988. The ensemble consists of professional musicians united by a great love for folk instruments and Kyrgyz folk music.
“KambarKan” is a unique group, with a repertoire that includes ancient musical instruments: komuz, kyl kyak, temir komuz, kerney, surnay, sybyzgy, zhylazhyn, dobulbas, zuuldak, asa-tayak, choor, chopo choor, chogoyno choor, and others. The core of the ensemble's repertoire consists of works by outstanding folk composers: Toktogul, Niyazaly, Murataaly, Atai, Ibrai, Karamoldo, as well as composers Jumabaev, Jumakunov, and Abdrakhmanov. Additionally, the ensemble's repertoire is supplemented with various arrangements and adaptations of folk songs, melodies, tunes, excerpts from the epic “Manas,” ritual and genre dances.
The ensemble sees its unique creative style in the skillful combination of folk traditions with modernity, expanding its genre range. The “KambarKan” ensemble was a laureate of international folklore festivals in Almaty (Kazakhstan) in 1989 and in Baku (Azerbaijan) in 1990. Three times—in 1991, 1992, and 1994—the group represented Kyrgyz art in Turkey. Furthermore, “KambarKan” has performed in England, France, and the USA. In 1993-1995, the musicians of the ensemble participated in Kyrgyzstan Week in Germany (in the cities of Bonn and Cologne), where they won the love of the German audience, performing with great creative success. In 1995, the ensemble was invited to Japan for 45 days to participate in an international folklore festival dedicated to the Great Silk Road. The tour was organized by the well-known Japanese company “Min-On.” The concerts of “KambarKan” were a tremendous success, as evidenced by the group receiving a repeat invitation for 2.5 months.
The ensemble takes pride in its soloists—People's Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic and Honored Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan Salamat Sadykova, and Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurak Abdyrahmanov. Since its founding, the ensemble has successfully included B. Shakirov, A. Kumenov, A. Sharshybaev, S. Adrakayev, S. Rysaliev, D. Kangeldieva, T. Karabaeva, S. Kendirbaev, as well as conductor, Honored Figure of Culture of Kyrgyzstan Rysbek Jumakunov, who has written many original works and made arrangements and orchestrations of various compositions. The artistic director of the ensemble is People's Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic, laureate of the Toktogul State Prize Esengul Jumabaev. He is the author of many popular works.
Today, the “KambarKan” ensemble is one of the most sought-after musical groups in the republic. It systematically seeks, reinterprets folklore, and grows creatively.
2. Children's Ensemble “Zhetigen”
“Zhetigen” is an ensemble at the Children's Music School No. 7 in Bishkek, which was opened in 1969 and was the only institution of its kind in the southern districts, the largest residential area of the city. The talented and hardworking team of the school is managed by experienced director Aizada Mamataypova, a member of the Management Board of the Culture Department of the City Hall and a representative of the Bishkek Council of Directors of children's music and creative schools. Since the school's opening, more than 500 students have graduated from it. Most of them chose music as their specialty and continued their studies at higher institutions of academic music education. Students and teachers give numerous concerts and hold lecture-concerts at the Philharmonic Society.
More than 250 children study at the school. They are taught to play many musical instruments, such as piano, bayan (a type of accordion), accordion, violin, komuz, temir komuz (or “iron komuz,” similar to a Jewish harmonica), chopo choor, guitar, trumpet, and a number of percussion instruments. In addition to solo performers, several ensembles operate: two choirs, ensembles of komuz players, violinists, bayan players, temir komuz performers, and a folklore ensemble.
The musicians of the children's ensemble “Zhetigen” use traditional musical instruments in their performances. The ages of the ensemble's performers range from 2 to 17 years. Their performance skills are characterized by high professionalism and virtuosity. In complex “two-voiced” performances, the ensemble musicians can adapt to the performers of other, more experienced groups. They have participated in city and republican competitions, such as “Young Talents” (in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000); the “Osh-3000” festival; competitions of the “Meirim” Foundation; and contests held in celebration of the anniversary of Atai Ogonbaev's birth (where they were awarded a diploma and a prize for virtuosity). The ensemble has also been awarded a Certificate of Honor from the Ministry of Education and Culture. In 2003, the group released a compact disc with 23 instrumental compositions.
