Songs from the Steppes: Kazakh Music Today

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 15, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Topic Records
• ASIN: B000BCHJVA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #465,940 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Musical Miscellany, July 17, 2009

By 

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

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This review is from: Songs from the Steppes: Kazakh Music Today (Audio CD)

Recorded mainly during a competition of traditional Kazakhstani musicians singing folk tunes and strumming the dombra or bowing the qyl-kobuz, this collection of many short pieces presents a good survey of the folk pieces of this large Central Asian nation, where the nomadic culture and the herding of horses, cattle, sheep, and camel still dominate. A few tracks were recorded with the Folk Ensemble of the Presidenital Orchestra. Additional instruments heard are the violin-like kobuz, a zhetygen zither, another lute called the sherter, a botton accordian, a flute, a jews' harp, and an ocarina. Thus, for 71 minutes and with 27 examples, our musical tour is extensive. Ballads, gentle melodies, epic anthems, and rapid vivacious instrumentals are of many styles and feelings. Kazakhstan and next door Kyrgystan share a heritage, and singing style are much alike. These young musicians are excellent in their performances. Despite being recorded almost serendipitously on a DAT recorder under field conditions, the sound is very good. This album helps fill a gap in the available recordings of Central Asian musics. The enclosed booklet includes photographs, translations of lyrics, and background.