Mukhtar Auezov (2)

(1897-1961)

Muhtar Auezov is a writer, a scientist-educator, one of the founders of Kazakh Soviet literature, a famous public figure. In 1928 he graduated from the faculty of History and Philology of Leningrad University. In 1930 he finished the post-graduate courses of the Turkic department of the Orient faculty in the State Middle Asian University in Tashkent.

The first works by Auezov were devoted to the problems of culture, education and enlightenment of people. Many years of his life were dedicated to the education of youth. He was the first Kazakh professor lecturing on Kazakh Literature. Muhtar Auezov left a rich heritage: novels, stories, articles, text-books. The most famous of his works is the novel “Abai’s Path”.

Kurmangazy Sagyrbayev (1)

(1818—1889)

Kurmangazy Sagyrbayev was born in Djangalinsk district of West-Kazakhstan He was from the Baiuly tribe of the Younger Juz. Life of the great musician was rich in many events. The whole epoch, life and traditions of that time are reflected in his kuys. Considering himself a younger brother or Issatai Taimanov, who together with Makhambet Utemisov was at the head of the revolt of the Kazakh people from Bukei Horde against Dzhangeer Khan's tyranny (1836-1837), Kurmangazy devoted one of his kuys ‘Kishkentai’ (‘Younger’) to this event.

In his other famous kuys ‘Nazym’ and ‘Kairan Sheshem’ (‘Dear Mother’) he created a. gallery of woman images, reflected the best features of a Kazakh woman: kindness, wits, beauty, mildness, nobleness, justice and moral cleanliness. In the kuy "Saryarka" ("Wide Steppe") the composer expressed his love to the impetuous ride of a horseman about the endless Kazakh steppe and reflected light and happy pacification with which a nomad lives in nature’s lap.

N. Savichev, a poet, and a journalist, an admirer of Kurmangazy’s creative genius, said, ”Sagyrbayev is a rare musical soul, and if he had had European education, he would have become the brightest star in the musical world...".

He died in 1879 in Shaitani Bataga place in Astrahan region.

• Answer the following questions:

1. Where was Kurmangazy Sagyrbayev born?

2. What events are reflected in his kuys?

3. To which event did Kurmangazy devote his kuy “Kishkentai”?

4. What other famous kuys of Kurmangazy can you name?

5. What did N.Savichev say about Kurmangazy?

• Prove the following statements are correct according to the story:

1. K.Sagyrbayev was from the Baiuly tribe?

2. Life of the great musician was not rich in events.

3. In the kuy “Saryarka” the composer expressed his love to his native steppe.

4. Kurmangazy considered himself a young brother Bukeikhan.

5. In his famous kuys “Nazym” and “Kairan Sheshem” he created a gallery of woman images.

Kurmangazy (2)

During many centuries Kazakh music was composed through vocal and instrumental means. A melody called kyui (pieces of music played on dombra, kobyz and other folk instruments) is the most popular form of music.

Themes of kyui are as various and different as the world around us. Kyui speaks about a person's feelings and his emotions in various sit­uations.

An outstanding piace among the folk musi­cians belongs to Kurmangazy Sagyrbayev (1818-1889). He is a big name in Kazakh instrumental folk music, a great composer and dombra play­er. He was born and lived in Western Kazakh­stan. When he was 10 years old he made a dom­bra for himself and carried it everywhere. At that time he composed his first melody. At the age of 18 he became a good musician and decided to leave his native place. Thus began his independent professional activity. While trav­elling through different villages, Kurmangazy met many singers and learnt their songs and kyuis.

He competed with those who played dom­bra; he took part in many competitions. This experience sharpened his skills and enriched his talent. He didn't only play dombra, he told inter­esting stories, legends and sang songs. The name of Kurmangazy became well known: he was invited to many places. Kurmangazy was a stu­dent of a famous 19th century folk composer, Uzak.

A Folk rebellion led by Isatai Taimanov and Mukhambet Utemisov aroused Kurmangazy, and he joined it. One of his important works, «Kish-kentai», was devoted to the rebellion. The mu­sic of Kurmangazy was stimulating; he was sure of the future victory of people.

The works of Kurmangazy, «Saryarka» and «Kobik Shashkan», are big artistic pictures show­ing the people who were not afraid and who didn't change their destiny during hard times. In «Saryarka» we can hear people's voices and the voice of a land wide and boundless. «Sar­yarka» is placed at the top of Kurmangazy's creative work. Time itself speaks in it. You can feel his call for a struggle when he speaks about the horse race and sings a victory song. That's why the journalist N. Savichev wrote (after meeting Kurmangazy in September, 1868 and listening to his music), «Kurmangazy is a beau­tiful musical soul and if he had had a European education, he could have been a superstar in the world of music.»

The creative work of Kurmangazy is still alive. About 80 of his kyuis are published. Now­adays dombra players follow Kurmangazy's tradition. At music schools and colleges, the art is taught according to the principles laid down by Kurmangazy.

• Comprehension task. Match the sentence beginning with the correct ending:

1. He is a big name in Kazakh …

2. He was born and lived …

3. At that time he …

4. Kurmangazy met many …

5. He competed with…

6. Time itself ….

7. The creative work of Kurmangazy …

a. … speaks in it.

b. … instrumental folk music.

c. … is still alive.

d. … those who played dom­bra.

e. … in Western Kazakh­stan.

f. … singers and learnt their songs and kyuis.

g. … composed his first melody.

• Pronunciation task.