Customer Reviews

Songs from the Steppes: Kazakh Music Today

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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.