Centennial Celebration of Nurgisa Tlendiyev in Kazakhstan
Spinning Tales of a Kazakhstan Legend:
April 1 marks the centennial of Nurgisa Tlendiyev, a legendary Kazakh composer and maestro. Born in the Almaty Region, Tlendiyev's interest in music ignited at an early age, nurtured by his musical family – his father, a dombra player, and his mother, a singer.
A Musical Mentorship
At just 12 years old, Tlendiyev caught the eye of renowned Kazakh composer Akhmet Zhubanov, who was crafting Kazakhstan's first folk instrument orchestra. Zhubanov acknowledged his talent and took him under his wing, appointing him concertmaster at an impressively young age. Under Zhubanov's tutelage, Tlendiyev honed his skills, later assisting the chief conductor.
A Firm Foundation
Post-graduation, Tlendiyev's journey led him to the Moscow Conservatory, seeing him master the art of conducting beyond his folk-music roots. Returning to his homeland, he ascended to chief conductor at the Abai Kazakh Opera and Ballet Theater, where he Premiered several critically acclaimed works.
A Golden Era
From 1961 to 1964, Tlendiyev helmed the Kurmangazy Kazakh State Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments, a golden era in his career. During this time, he collaborated with Uyghur composer Kuddus Kuzhamyarov on the opera "Golden Mountains" and crafted orchestral masterpieces – "Ata Tolgau", "Halyk Kuanyshy", and "Kairat".
Tlendiyev's music graced the iconic Kazakh film "My Name is Kozha", directing by Abdulla Karsakbayev.
Collaborative Inspiration
Whilst working at Kazakhfilm, Tlendiyev forged close bonds with distinguished Kazakh poets, notably Mukagali Makatayev. Together, they brought 32 compelling songs to life in a swift, impressive month – "Saryzhailau", "Salem Sagan Zhetisu", and "Men Seni Izdedim" emerged from this labor of love.
An Orchestral Odyssey
In 1982, Tlendiyev founded the folklore-ethnographic orchestra Otyrar Sazy, which revived ancient Kazakh music traditions. Featured instruments like the sazsyrnai and sybyzgy saw Tlendiyev blend Kazakh improvisational styles with European orchestral techniques.
A Modern Maestro
Tlendiyev possessed an impressive range of skills beyond composition and performance – he was a brilliant conductor, orchestrator, and innovator. He deemed it the duty of a musician to encourage audience interaction, believing artistry extended to shaping the creative experience.
Tlendiyev passed away on October 15, 1998, but his contributions live on. He received the People's Artist of the USSR and Kazakhstan's highest honor, Halyk Kaharmany, and a monument was raised in Almaty in his honor. In 2014, the Nurgisa Tlendiyev Memorial Museum opened in his former apartment, granting a rare peek into the life and artistry of one of Kazakhstan's greatest composers.
In 1925, Nurgisa Tlendiyev, a Kazakh composer and maestro, demonstrated his talent as a conductor by assisting the chief conductor, position he held after being nurtured under the mentorship of renowned Kazakh composer Akhmet Zhubanov. Tlendiyev's collaborative efforts with Uyghur composer Kuddus Kuzhamyarov incorporated entertainment through orchestral masterpieces like "Golden Mountains" during his tenure with the Kurmangazy Kazakh State Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments from 1961 to 1964.
