"Ikatyok" ("Cuckoo") - with this elegant piece, People's Artist of Turkmenistan Orazgul Annamuradova opened a concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of the remarkable composer Orazmukhammet Gurbanniyazov. But first, she shared with the audience gathered in the Great Hall of the Conservatory, her memories of this talented person, as well as his invaluable contribution to the musical culture of Turkmenistan.

The same "Cuckoo" in video format was masterfully presented by the outstanding violinist of our time, People's Artist of Russia Leonora Dmyterko, provoking thunderous applause in the hall with her performance.

People's Artist of Turkmenistan Danatar Hydyrov introduced the audience to interesting facts from the life of the hero of the day. This information greatly expanded the understanding of those present about the composer, who showed himself from the heroic side. It's amazing how a person who has passed the test of courage with dignity could create such refined melodies as "Cuckoo", "Toccata" and others.

Before performing "Toccata" for piano, Gulzada Guldurdyeva recited the poem "Hymn to Dutar" by Lyudmila Avdeeva. Performed "Toccata" by the laureate of the State Prize "Turkmenin Altun asyry" Ashir Ashirov.

Honored Worker of Culture of Turkmenistan Sukhan Tuyliyev shared his impressions of the hero of the day:

“At one of the congresses of the Union of Composers, I was lucky to dine at the same table with Orazmukhammet Gurbanniyazov,” he recalls. - Then Orazmukhammet Gurbanniyazovich was already over 70 years old, but his tall stature, athletic form gave him a dashing personality. He received an excellent education at the Moscow Conservatory. P.I. Tchaikovsky with teachers Shebalin, Fere and lived mainly in Russia. In 2008 he was gone, but deeply national in spirit music, born from his heart, remained. He is the author of a one-movement symphony and a "Dramatic Poem" for a symphony orchestra. In 1965 he composes a four-part symphony. He is the author of the Ashgabat cantata, many songs and romances, chamber instrumental compositions, mainly for piano and violin and the author of the methodological work "Sequential techniques of playing modulations". He studied Beethoven's work on a scientific basis.

The 100th anniversary of Orazmukhammet Gurbanniyazov was widely celebrated in Moscow. By this date, a book about Orazmukhammet Gurbanniyazovich was published under the title “The Great Composer and Humanist of the East and West”. The ceremonial events took place at the Moscow Conservatory, including a scientific and practical conference dedicated to the Turkmen composer. A presentation of four video films entitled “I hear the music of Victory” took place, telling about the life and work of Orazmukhammet Gurbanniyazov.

At the end of October this year, at the 6th International Festival of Arts "Sounds of Dutar" named after Nury Khalmamedov, the 100th anniversary of Orazmukhammet Gurbanniyazov was marked by the performance of several of his works.

As part of the concert, a fragment from a video was shown, in which the Turkmen composer Orazmukhammet Gurbanniyazov talked about what music means to him.

At the end of the concert, the chamber choir under the direction of the conductor of the People's Artist of Turkmenistan Gurban Babayev sang the song "Tum gijeler" by Orazmukhammet Gurbanniyazov.

Tamara Glazunova
Photo: Alexey Gimalitdinov