Music of Central Asian 4: Bardic Divas

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 25, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B000UL8V00
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,299 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #5 in Music > World Music > Europe > Eastern Europe > Uzbekistan

Editorial Reviews

Sublime bel canto lyrical songs, the guttural recitative of nomadic oral poetry, lively humoresques, and poignant laments of unrequited love comprise this panoramic survey of contemporary women's music from Central Asia performed by some of the region's leading singers. A bonus DVD introduces ten remarkable women whose voices and instruments have made a deep imprint on the soundscape of Central Asia in our own time. 18 Tracks, 59 minutes, 48-page color booklet, photos, and song lyrics; DVD contains series introduction, 24-minute film, interactive glossary, and map.

Music of Central Asia is a co-production of the Aga Khan Music Initiative in Central Asia, a program of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The aim of the series is to present leading exponents of Central Asia's rich and diverse musical heritage to listeners outside the region.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Soviet Silver Lining, June 22, 2009

By 

Dr. Debra Jan Bibel "World Music Explorer" (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Music of Central Asian 4: Bardic Divas (Audio CD)

This recording is an anthology of women vocalists-instrumentalists from the Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia (Kalmyk homeland), Qaraqalpakstan [Uzbeki automonous state], Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan. Prior to the Russian Soviet empire, women in these lands were largely restricted in singing opportunities, chiefly among women at weddings, births, and funerals. Rarely did a brave and independent woman challenge the domain of male musicians. Albeit with a heavy hand, Soviet policy broke down gender barriers, and today woman are respected musicians and sing in many ensembles.

The recording is probably of interest only to world music students. Listening to this album, you will quickly appreciate the wide differences of voicing, style, lute variants (the Kazakh dombra, the Kyrgyzstani komuz, the Tajik tanbur and dutar, the Azeri saz), and songs (romantic poems, sagas, shephard songs). The enclosed booklet includes fine colored photographs of these singers in traditional costumes and their instruments. Vocalists of note are Fargana Qasimova, daughter of famous Azeri singer Alam Qasimova, and Kenjugul Kubatova of the Tengir-Too Kyrgyzstani troupe. A 24-minute film is part of the additional DVD. This excellent album is part of the outstanding Smithsonian Folkways/Aga Khan Trust series; and is the first to include Kazakh and Kalymk music.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful compilation, December 28, 2008

By 

P. Micocci "embevecido" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Music of Central Asian 4: Bardic Divas (Audio CD)

This compilation is both fascinating to listen to and beautifully recorded, unlike so many similar efforts. The accompanying DVD, although lamentably brief, is also stunning visually. I highly recommend it, and I look forward to hearing (and seeing) the other volumes in this series.