NOTE IN THE NEWSPAPER "SOVIET KYRGYZSTAN" ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION OF THE KYRGYZ NATIONAL ORCHESTRA
Frunze, May 18, 1936.
Today, the first demonstration experimental concert of the Kyrgyz State National Orchestra will take place. Previously, music performed on Kyrgyz national instruments was only solo, and there was no orchestral performance.
Workers of the Kyrgyz State Theater proposed to modernize the komuz instrument and create a national orchestra. With the direct participation of the Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of Kyrgyzstan and the head of the Cultural Department of the Regional Party Committee, this idea has been brought to life. Now we have an orchestra of modernized instruments consisting of 22 people (including the following instruments: piccolo komuz, bass and double bass, kyiyak, flute, choor, percussion instruments, and others).
Currently, the People's Artist of the Republic, Murataly Kurunkee, has been sent to Moscow for the modernization of the kyiyak instrument. From the komuz, five types of instruments have been produced, and there is certainly a full possibility to also modernize the kyiyak, constructing it according to the principle of a string quartet, i.e., to obtain four, and maybe even five types, including a separate double bass. Alongside this, the choor will also be modernized in two types.
The main task of modernizing these last two instruments is to increase their sound volume while preserving the timbral quality of sound that is characteristic of these instruments.
Currently, the orchestra is exclusively engaged in experimental work, deepening it towards achieving the greatest sound volume. Our aspiration and ultimate goal for the orchestra is to transform it into an independent artistic concert ensemble. In addition, the orchestra will accompany dramatic national plays, as well as solo singing and choir. The program of the upcoming concert on May 18 includes folk music featuring the People's Artists of the Republic, Comrades Karamoldo, Moldobasan, and the Honored Artist of the Republic, Comrade Botaliev, soloists: Maldybaev, Musa, Atay, Kuttubaeva, and the choir of the Kyrgyz State Theater. All solo and choral numbers will be accompanied by the orchestra.
P. Shubin
Soviet Kyrgyzstan. May 18, 1936.
Organization of the Botanical Garden and Zoo in the city of Frunze Document No. 103 (April 1936)