Customer Reviews

Music of Central Asian 4: Bardic Divas

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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.

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.