Nurgisa Atabayuly Tlendiev (1925-1998) is a famous Kazakh composer, national hero, musical virtuoso, founder of the ethnic orchestra group "Otrar sazy," and veteran of the Great Patriotic War. Tlendiev’s most significant contribution to Kazakh music was that he made an ancient Kazakh musical instrument sound in a new way. He founded—and long directed—the ethnic orchestra group “Otrar sazy.” Its musicians played the most ancient Kazakh instruments, including zhetygen, shankobyz, syrnai, and tuyaktas, to name but a few.

Today, we are going to present to you three of his most famous works: “Ata Tolgauy” (Thoughts of the Aged Man), “Akku” (The White Swan), and “Zhekpe-zhek” (The Duel).  Notably, the first two compositions were played by Nurgisa Tlendiyev himself. These records were preserved in the manuscript archive of the M. Auezov Institute of Literature and Art and included (with notes) in the anthology The Ancient Motifs of the Great Steppe.

This podcast is based on the anthology Ancient Motifs of the Great Steppe, published by the Auezov Institute of Literature and Art, http://auezovinstitute.kz/

Created&Produced by Aitolkyn Kourmanova

Many Kazakh women kuishi were wonderful performers but alas, their names have been mostly lost to history. However, the career and talent of Dina Nurpeisova, a famous Kazakh composer, flourished under more modern conditions, namely those of 20th-century Soviet Kazakhstan. 

Today we will play three of Dina’s famous kuis: “Nauysky” (sometimes called Navoi and dedicated to Uzbek poet and philosopher Alisher Navoi), “Ottin dauren” (Passing Generation) and “Karakaska at” (Black Horse with a White Forehead Mark).

This podcast is based on the anthology Ancient Motifs of the Great Steppe, published by the Auezov Institute of Literature and Art, http://auezovinstitute.kz/

Created&Produced by Aitolkyn Kourmanova

Tattimbet Kazangapuly is a cult Kazakh kuishi. It was said that he used his dombra as a psychotherapeutic tool—with the help of soulful music, he could bring the listener out of severe depression. And sometimes, he played so fervently that even the horses began to dance. 

Today we will play all four of his kuis: Bylkyldak, Kosbasar, Sarzhalau, and Kokeikisti.

This podcast is based on the anthology Ancient Motifs of the Great Steppe, published by the Auezov Institute of Literature and Art, http://auezovinstitute.kz/

Created&Produced by Aitolkyn Kourmanova