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Unveiled Tales and Musical Pieces of a Forgotten Kazakh Composer, Active During World War II

Overlooked Kazakh Composer's Tales and Musical Pieces Unveiled in Latest Publication: Awardee of WWII Soldier Distinctions

Unveiled Tales and Musical Pieces of a Forgotten Kazakh Composer, Active During World War II

Rewritten Article

Head over to Astana and listen to the haunting melodies of Turash Abuov, a Kazakh composer who fought valiantly in World War II. His music, a harmonious blend of darkness and resilience, has been largely overlooked until now.

The man behind the book that brought Abuov's compositions into the limelight is Abdulkhamit Raimbergenov, a dombra player and researcher. In an interview with The Astana Times, Raimbergenov and his co-author Erbolat Alimkul shared the inspiration behind their extensive work.

In 1983, Raimbergenov was on an expedition in the Zhambyl Region, looking for a kuishi (traditional composer). One day, while resting in a restaurant, he was approached by a man named Turash, who offered him an artistic piece. Captivated by the encounter, they headed to Abuov's house, marking the beginning of a lifelong friendship and a decade-long quest to uncover his past.

Turash Abuov, with his military-like demeanor and powerful voice, shared his innermost emotions through kuis (traditional compositions) and dombra music since childhood. When Raimbergenov visited him, he was struck by Abuov's distinctive style that seamlessly merged various kuis, weaving together songs and poetry to create new forms.

The result of their friendship is a book, "Maidanger Kuishi" (Front-line Musician), co-authored with Alimkul. Drawn to studying Abuov due to their shared hometown, Alimkul spent years researching regional archives to find recordings and information on the composer.

"Arnau," also known as "Kazakhstan Komsomol," is one of Abuov's most well-known kuis. Alimkul revealed the backstory behind its inception. During the thick of the war, a group of young soldiers from Kazakhstan were sent straight to the front lines and were all killed. Abuov, too, was wounded and lost consciousness. In the hospital, upon regaining consciousness, he learned of their tragic fate. This experience made a profound impact on him, leading him to compose a kui in their memory, dedicating it to their sacrifice.

"Maidanger Kuishi" offers more than just a reflection of war - it presents a deeply personal and colorful depiction of the Kazakh soldiers who fought. The book preserves the memories of those individuals, along with the kuis dedicated to them, as well as handwritten notes left behind.

Abuov's kuis capture the traditions of Karatau, Arka, and Zhetisu regions, showcasing an unrestrained, improvisational quality. Unlike traditionally structured kuis, his compositions flowed freely, embodying the spirit of a self-taught, naturally gifted musician with no boundaries.

Boasting significant contributions to Kazakhstani music, Abuov integrated Kazakh folk melodies and instruments with orchestral arrangements. During WWII, Kazakh composers, including Abuov, likely contributed to a surge of patriotic works that bolstered morale. These pieces often combined folk narratives with western classical structures, emphasizing national identity and solidarity.

As a conductor and mentor, Abuov impacted generations of musicians, ensuring the continuity of Kazakhstan’s musical heritage. His legacy remains an integral part of Kazakhstan’s broader narrative of cultural preservation during times of upheaval.

  1. The book "Maidanger Kuishi" shares the story of Turash Abuov, a Kazakh composer who originates from Astana, whose music traditionaly blends resilience and darkness as well as Kazakh folk melodies and instruments.
  2. In his haunting compositions, Abuov often took inspiration from the deepest and most profound experiences, such as the memory of a group of Kazakh soldiers who were killed during World War II, as exemplified by his well-known kui, "Arnau."
  3. Abuov's music, typically accompanying the dombra, has been overlooked for years, but his distinctive style has been increasingly recognized and celebrated for its innovative improvisational quality and for its unique harmonious blend of traditional Kazakh music and orchestral arrangements.
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