Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Shubin Pyotr Fyodorovich

Shubin Pyotr Fyodorovich was born on June 10, 1894, in the village of Tashla, Troitsky District, Orenburg Province. He was an educator, conductor, and composer who played an invaluable role in the development of theatrical art and the new national musical culture. He was a member of the Union of Composers of the Kyrgyz SSR, a distinguished figure in the arts of the Kyrgyz SSR, and the organizer and leader of the first folk instruments orchestra. In his childhood, little Pyotr showed himself to

10.04.2019, 17:12

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Mikhail Rafailovich Rauhverger

Raukhverger Mikhail Rafailovich — Soviet pianist, composer, educator. Born on December 5, 1901, in Odessa. He began music lessons at the age of seven. Soon he started composing music himself. After graduating from high school in 1919, M. Raukhverger enrolled in the Odessa Polytechnic Institute and simultaneously in the conservatory, where he studied piano under Professor R. Biber.

31.03.2019, 15:51

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Daniyal Mukashevich Nazarmatov

Nazarov Daniyal Mukashevich - a talented musician. Founder of the guitar art school in Kyrgyzstan, one of the legendary organizers of the "Spring Ala-Too" festival. Born in 1940 in the city of Naryn to a family of civil servants.

27.03.2019, 15:28

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Latip Kamalov

Kamalov Latip Designer. Born on January 7, 1956, in the village of Bai Munduz, Bazar-Korgon District, Jalal-Abad Region. In 1981, he graduated from the S.A. Chuykov Kyrgyz State Art College. He studied part-time at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Osh State University.

26.12.2017, 23:22

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Asanbay Karimov (1898—1979)

Asanbay Karimov (1898— 1979) — an outstanding folk professional choorchu. A self-taught musician, he captivated listeners with his playing on the traditional longitudinal wooden choor.

09.11.2014, 20:59

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Adamkalyy Baybatyrov (1895—1953)

Adamkaly Baybatyrov (1895—1953) — a brilliant temir komuz player, puppeteer, and harmonist, a versatile artist and organizer.

09.11.2014, 20:31

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Toktosun Tynybekov (1927—1982)

Toktosun Tynybekov (1927—1982), a renowned improvisational akyn, honored artist of the Kyrgyz SSR. Under his leadership, an ensemble of eleven people successfully performed at the second Decade of Kyrgyz Art and Literature in Moscow (1958), at the seventh congress of the International Music Council (Moscow, 1971), and at the Musical Tribune of Asian countries (Alma-Ata, 1973). The ensemble included K. Zhusubalieva, Zh. Sarkobenova, B. Matkadyrova, S. Tolokova, and others. Suidum Tolokova was a

09.11.2014, 20:30

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Rimma Madvarova (born 1929)

The current generation of professional temir komuz players is led by Rimma Madvarova (born 1929), who is also a flutist and the head of the children's ensemble "Keremet." R. Madvarova began learning to play folk instruments at the age of four under her grandmother Tursun. In 1953, she graduated from the Kyrgyz State Musical College named after M. Kureneev in the wind instruments class, worked in the orchestra of the Kyrgyz State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after

09.11.2014, 20:29

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Nurlanbek Nyshanov

The ethnographic method of teaching and performing that is maximally close to tradition is practiced by Nurlanbek Nyshanov — a multi-instrumentalist and master instrument maker.

09.11.2014, 20:28

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Shaken Zhorobekov (born 1945)

Shaken Zhorobekova (born 1945) is a singer and instrumentalist from the Ala-Buka district of the Osh region, a honored artist of the republic. Her performance of music for the zhygach ooz komuz first took place in 1967 at competitions of folk singers and musicians. At that time, she played the kyuu "Kukushka" ("Kukuk"), marking the beginning of the spread of zhygach ooz komuz music as an independent instrumental genre.

09.11.2014, 20:26

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Murataaly Kurankeev (1860—1949)

An outstanding kyl kyakist and komuz player was Murataaly Kurenkeev (1860—1949). He was born in the village of Taldy-Bulak, now in the Kemin district of the Chui region, into a musical family. His father Kurenkey and grandfather Belek played the kyl kyak, komuz, choore, surnae, and kernee.

09.11.2014, 19:48

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Zholoy Boogachinov (1888 — 1934)

One of the best representatives of the kyl kyak tradition of the late 19th — early 20th century is Zholoy Boogachinov (1888 — 1934). He was born in the village of Ichke-Suu, now in the Toktogul district of the Jalal-Abad region, in a family of musician-kyakchy.

09.11.2014, 19:46

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Said Bekmuratov (1901—1966)

Said Bekmuratov (1901—1966) — an outstanding kyl kyakist of the 20th century. He was born in the village of Zhil-Keldi, now in the Kara-Suu district of the Osh region, into a peasant family. He began playing the kyl kyak under the guidance of his grandfather Kalymbet. Local musicians Narmat and Ashyr also had a certain influence on him. In 1933, he started working at the Kyrgyz State Drama Theater, where in a small orchestra led by P. Shubin and D. Kovalev played Murataaly Kurunkeev, Karamoldo

09.11.2014, 19:41

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Nurak Abdrakhmanov

Nurak Abdrakhmanov (born 1947) is a renowned professional singer and musician, honored artist of the Kyrgyz Republic. He was born in the village of Togolok Moldo in the Ak-Tala district of Naryn region; his father was a komuz player. Nurak studied at the Tokmok Cultural and Educational College, worked at the district House of Culture, and successfully participated in republican folk art competitions. Since 1985, he has been a soloist of the "Kambarcan" ensemble of the Kyrgyz State

08.11.2014, 22:28

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Chalagyz Isabaev and Samarbiyu Toktakhunova

Chalagyz Isabaev (1937—1991) — a renowned komuz player, founder of the ensemble "Kambarcan," and honored artist of the Kyrgyz Republic.

08.11.2014, 22:26

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Bolush Madazimov

Bolush Madazimov (born 1927) — an outstanding komuz player, laureate of the State Prize of Kyrgyzstan named after Toktogul (1989), People's Artist of the Republic (1997).

08.11.2014, 22:24

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Shekerbek Sherkulov (1902—1980)

Shekerbek Sherkulov (1902—1980), one of the last students of Toktogul Satylganov, was born in the village of Talas-Aryk, now part of the Talas district in the Talas region, into a family of musicians. In his childhood, Shekerbek not only played the komuz but also performed folk songs and dastans. One of his favorite tales was the Kazakh dastan "Kyz Zhibek."

08.11.2014, 22:22

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Ybrai Tumanov (1885—1967)

Ybrai Tumanov (1885—1967) — an outstanding folk composer and komuz player, created over 30 original compositions.

08.11.2014, 22:17

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Karamoldo Orozov (1883—1960)

Karamoldo Orozov (1883—1960) — a great author and komuz player, whose music has been preserved not only in the folk memory but also in the musical transcriptions of renowned folklorists. In the last decades of his creative activity, he recorded his repertoire on the republican radio.

08.11.2014, 22:15

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Niyazaly Boroshev (1856—1942)

Niyazaly Boroshev (1856—1942) — a well-known folk author-performer. He was born in the Jany-Jol district of the Osh region. He began playing the komuz at the age of fifteen and was already performing complex kyus such as "Ketbuka," "Taichidan-Taichi," and other pieces. Gradually, he became a true master and entered the circle of professionals of his time, such as Eshmambet Bayseitov, Janibai Kozhekov, and Aydaraly Beyshukurov. His talent was highly appreciated by the

08.11.2014, 22:10

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Aydaraly Beyshukurov (1851 — 1934)

A bright representative of the virtuosic, so-called pop, school of komuz performance was Aydaraly Beyshukurov (1851 — 1934), one of the outstanding komuz players of the second half of the 19th — early 20th century.

08.11.2014, 22:08

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Kurenkey Belekov (1826—1907)

Kurenkey Belekov (1826—1907) — a well-known folk author-performer. He was born in the village of Taldy-Bulak on Issyk-Kul in a family of musicians — his father was a kerneichi, komuz player, and choorchu.

08.11.2014, 22:06

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Muzoake Jamankaraev (1802—1878)

Muzooke Jamankaraev (1802—1878) — one of the prominent representatives of Kyrgyz professional folk music in the 19th century. He was born in the village of Kurtka, now in the Ak-Tala district of the Naryn region. Muzooke was a great komuz player — both an author and performer. He was known not only in Ak-Tala and Naryn but also in the Chui Valley.

08.11.2014, 22:04

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Tuutanbay Abdiyev

Tuutanbay Abdiev (born 1937) — akyn-improviser, People's Artist of the Republic (1993), member of the Union of Writers of the USSR (1990). He was born in the village of Ichke-Sai, now in the Uchterek District of the Jalal-Abad Region, in a peasant family. His first singing lessons were given to him by local akyns Sarykunan and Kadyrkul.

04.11.2014, 21:57

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Zamirbek Usenbaev

Zamirbek Usenbaev (born 1951) — improvisational poet, People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR (1968), member of the Union of Writers of the USSR (1990). He was born in Frunze. Zamirbek's father is the famous poet Alymkul Usenbaev, and his mother is a talented folk singer. Zamirbek began performing as a poet at the age of 16. His first independent works are the solo greeting "Salamdasuu Termesi" and a poetic duel with Toktosun Tynibekov.

04.11.2014, 21:54

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Estebes Tursunaliev

Estebes Tursunaliev (born 1931) — akyn-improviser, People's Artist of the USSR (1988), People's Akyn of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan (1995), laureate of the Toktogul State Prize, member of the Union of Writers of the USSR (1967). He was born in the village of Kara-Archa, now in the Manas district of the Talas region, in a peasant family. Estebes Tursunaliev's father was a good komuz player, and his mother was a кошокчу and жомокчу (lamenter and storyteller). Even as a fifth-grade

04.11.2014, 21:49

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Ashyraaly Aytaliev

Ashyraaly Aytaliev (born 1927) is one of the contemporary professional akyns-improvisers, a People's Artist of Kyrgyzstan (1995), and a member of the Union of Writers of the Kyrgyz Republic. He was born in the village of Jediger in the Kant district of Chui region. His childhood was spent in difficult conditions during the pre-war and wartime periods. He showed an interest in singing while still a schoolboy. Aytaliev's first steps in creativity were associated with lyrical songs that

04.11.2014, 21:46

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Toktosun Tynybekov (1927—1982)

Toktosun Tynybekov (1927—1982) — an improvisational poet, kyakist, komuz player, honored artist of the Kyrgyz SSR (1960), member of the Union of Writers of the USSR (1953). He was born in the village of Tegene in the Jany-Jol district of the Jalal-Abad region. After finishing school, he studied at the Karaganda factory and plant vocational school. His acquaintance with Korgool Dosuiev was a turning point in his life. During a joint trip across the republic, Dosuiev shared the secrets of his

04.11.2014, 21:42

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Ismail Boronchiev (1910—1978)

Ysmayil Boronchiev (1910—1978) — an improvisational poet, People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR (1958), member of the Union of Writers of the USSR (1938). He was born in the village of Alchaluu, now in the Chui region, into a poor family. His songwriting began in 1929, and his first songs were dedicated to social themes: "The First Five-Year Plan" ("Birinchi беш жылдык"), "Good Collective Farm" ("Жакшы колхоз"), "Kyrgyzstan,"

04.11.2014, 21:39

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Toktonaly Shabdanbaev (1896—1978)

Toktonaaly Shabdanbaev (1896—1978) — a poet-improviser, People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR (1958), member of the Union of Writers of the USSR (1958). He was born in the village of Jaiylma, now in the Kant district of Chui region, into a peasant family. He began singing and playing the komuz in the 1920s. In 1936, he participated in the first All-Kyrgyz Olympiad of Folk Musical Creativity, after which the akyn was accepted as a soloist in the Kyrgyz State Philharmonic, where he worked for

04.11.2014, 21:36

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Alymkul Usenbayev (1894—1963)

Alymkul Usenbaev (1894—1963) — an improvisational poet, komuz player, People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR (1939), member of the Union of Writers of the USSR (1938). He was born in the village of Kara-Archa in the Talas region into a poor family. At the age of 12, he became an orphan. By the age of 14, he began to sing and play the komuz, and within about ten years, he was well-known throughout Talas. Toktogul Satylganov highly valued his talent and played a crucial role in his development

04.11.2014, 21:34

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Korgool Dosuev (1890—1962)

Korgool Dosuev (1890—1962) — aakyn-improviser, one of the most talented students of Toktogul. He was born in the Jany-Jol district (now Toktogul district).

04.11.2014, 21:30

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Osmonkul Bolebalaev (1888—1967)

Osmonkul Bolebalaev (1888—1967) — improvisational poet, People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR (1942), member of the Union of Writers of the USSR (1940).

04.11.2014, 21:27

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Barpy Alykulov (1884—1949)

Barpy Alykulov (1884—1949) — an improvisational poet, singer, thinker, and classic of the folk song and poetic culture, a member of the Union of Writers of the USSR (1947). He was born in the village of Achi in the Suzak district of the Jalal-Abad region (now the same-named area). His father, Alykul, was well-versed in folk creativity.

04.11.2014, 21:24

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Kalık Akiev (1883—1953)

Kalyk Akiev (1883—1953) — a poet-improviser, komuz player, People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR (1939), member of the Union of Writers of the USSR (1938). He was born in the village of Kulzhagach in the Jumgal district of the Tian Shan volost (now Naryn region). His father, Akı, was engaged in hunting and craftsmanship. Kalyk became interested in singing at an early age and was already known in the area as a poet by the age of 18.

04.11.2014, 21:20

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Eshmambet Bayseitov (1867—1926)

The akyn-improviser, komuz player, and one of the best students of Toktogul, Eshmambet Bayseitov (1867—1926) was born in the village of Kyk-Kazyk, now in the Talas region. Later, poverty forced his family to move to the Ketmen-Tyubinsky district, to the relatives of his mother. He began singing at the age of 15.

04.11.2014, 21:15

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Toktogul Satylganov (1864—1933)

The greatest representative of the akyn art of the first half of the 20th century was Toktogul Satylganov (1864—1933), who raised a whole generation of professional akyns and created his own school.

04.11.2014, 21:07

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Zhenizhok Kokoев

Zhenizhok Kokoев (real name Oto, 1860 — 1918) — an outstanding akyn of the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, whose legacy has only begun to be seriously studied in recent years. He was born in the Sary-Kobon area, now part of the Manas district in the Talas region, to a poor family. After losing his parents at an early age, Zhenizhok was forced to leave his homeland and move to the village of Kara-Suu in the Aksy district of the Jalal-Abad region. As a teenager, he sang famous dastans such

04.11.2014, 21:01

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Arstanbek Builashov (1840 — 1882)

The great akyn-thinker of the past century Arstanbek Buylashov (1840 — 1882) — akyn, komuz player, a bright representative of the artistic movement "zaman" (literally, "time, era"). He was born in the mountainous region of Syrt, now in the Jety-Oguz district of the Issyk-Kul region, to the younger wife of the bey Buylash. From childhood, he showed musical abilities, learning songs and tales from adults.

04.11.2014, 20:54

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Urkash Mambetaliyev

Urkash Mambetaliev (born 1934) is a soloist-manaschi of the Kyrgyz State Philharmonic named after Toktogul (since 1961), a member of the Union of Writers of Kyrgyzstan (1982), and a People's Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic (1994).

04.11.2014, 13:09

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Shabay Azizov

People's Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic Shaabay Azizov (born 1927) inherited the storytelling tradition from his father, as well as from his uncle — the famous Issyk-Kul manaschy Choyuke. He also considers his fellow countryman Sayakbay Karalaev, with whom he had close communication, as a teacher. He lives in the village of Uch-Kainar in the Ak-Suu district of the Issyk-Kul region and is actively engaged in creative activities: he sings for recordings, performs at the invitation of

04.11.2014, 13:01

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Kaba Atabekov

Kaba Atabekov (born 1926) is one of the prominent representatives of contemporary storytelling culture and a People's Artist of Kyrgyzstan. He was born in the village of Tort-Kul in the Ton district of the Issyk-Kul region. He began singing "Manas" at the age of ten. He associates the beginning of his storytelling career with a prophetic dream in which a noble old horseman strictly instructed him to recite the epic.

04.11.2014, 12:58

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Seidene Moldoke Kyzы

Seydene Moldoke kyzy (born 1922) — an outstanding storyteller, one of the few women-manaschis. She was born in the village of Kotoromo in the Toktogul district of the Jalal-Abad region. She associates the beginning of her storytelling career with a famous prophetic dream in which the great akyn Toktogul appeared to her, followed by the hero Semetey himself. Since the mid-1950s, Seydene has been invited to Frunze to participate in competitions and reviews of folk art and for recording.

04.11.2014, 12:52

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Jusup Mamai

Jusup Mamai (born 1918) — the largest representative of the art of akyns and manaschy abroad, a storyteller-writer. He was born in the village of Merkech in the Kyrgyz Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. Until 1959, he worked as a teacher, then began to study and narrate the epic.

04.11.2014, 12:49

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Mambet Chokmorov (1896—1973)

Mambet Chokmorov (1896—1973) is one of the greatest storytellers of the eastern region. According to legend, he was also initiated into the manaschy by Manas himself, who appeared to him in a prophetic dream.

04.11.2014, 12:43

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Moldobasan Musulmankulov (1883—1961)

Moldobasan Musulmankulov (1883—1961), a talented storyteller, akyn, komuz player, and People's Artist of Kyrgyzstan (1935), was born in the village of Terek, now in the Ak-Talinsky district of Naryn region. The first influence on Musulmankulov's storytelling creativity was his brother Kaligul. With his help, Musulmankulov began to master playing the komuz and a large repertoire of folk songs.

04.11.2014, 12:36

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Togolok Moldo (real name — Bayymbet Abdrakhmanov, 1860—1942)

Togolok Moldo (real name — Bayymbet Abdrakhmanov, 1860—1942) — an outstanding manaschi and akyn-writer.

04.11.2014, 12:28

Musicians of Kyrgyzstan

Sayakbay Karalaev (1894—1972)

The storytelling art of Sayakbay Karalaev (1894—1972), by unanimous recognition of his contemporaries, was the pinnacle of the evolution of national epic culture. This famous manaschy of our century possessed a truly titanic ability for improvisation and a powerful performing temperament. His contemporaries rightfully called him the "great rhapsodist" (M. Auezov), "Homer of the 20th century" (Ch. Aitmatov).

04.11.2014, 12:23