Chalagyz Isabaev (1937—1991) — a renowned komuz player, founder of the ensemble "Kambarcan," and honored artist of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Ch. Isabaev received his professional education at the Kyrgyz State Musical College named after M. Kureneev and the Institute of Arts named after B. Beishenaliev. Since 1957, he was an orchestra artist at the KNI Kyrgyz State Philharmonic and for 15 years served as the leader of the komuzists ensemble. The ensemble performed successfully in many countries around the world.
Chalagyz did not limit himself to performing arts. He compiled an extensive repertoire in his book "Selected Kyus for Komuz" (Kомуздун тандалма куулору. — Frunze, 1987). The next step was the creation of a unique musical-ethnographic ensemble "Kambarcan" at the capital's philharmonic (1988). For this, Ch. Isabaev, along with masters O. Kenchinbaev, S. Aydaraliev, and artist M. Kuchkachev, reconstructed several folk musical instruments that had nearly fallen out of practice. He also orchestrated a number of kyus for the concert repertoire of the ensemble.
The creation of the ensemble was significant for the promotion and study of instrumental folklore in Kyrgyzstan and beyond. The tragic death interrupted the fruitful activities of Chalagyz Isabaev, but his creation — the ensemble "Kambarcan" — continues to delight listeners with its art.
A highlight of the ensemble was the participation of Samarbyubyu Toktakunova (born 1944), laureate of the Toktogul State Prize (1984), and People's Artist of the USSR (1989).
After graduating from the M. Kureneev Musical College, she was accepted into the orchestra of the KNI named after K. Orozov. In 1975, the komuz player gave the first philharmonic solo concert in the history of folk performance in two parts. At the XI World Festival of Youth in Havana (Cuba, 1978), she won the title of laureate. Since then, S. Toktakunova has performed on stages in many countries across Europe, America, Asia, and Africa, including the renowned "Olympia" in Paris and the "Metropolitan Opera" in New York. Additionally, she was the first to perform as a soloist accompanied by a symphony orchestra, and the ringing sound of the komuz brought new colors to this sound palette.
Toktakunova's repertoire includes several dozen classical kyus by Toktogul, Murataala, Atai, Ibrai, and others.
A large part of it consists of the melodies of Karamoldo, and this is not accidental: the komuz player's style is strict and academic, similar to that of her famous predecessor. At the same time, her interpretations of well-known kyus are individual, creative, and deeply modern. The outstanding komuz player shares her experience with her students.
