This year, the famous Turkmen conductor Ashir Khodjatov turns 70 years old. Relatives, close friends and entourage most often say about people like A. Khojatov: “Although already 70, you are still young at heart.” Such a human characteristic fully corresponds to the work and life path of A. Khodjatov. From his youth, when he was constantly singing cheerful songs in the open spaces of the Tejen etrap, without thinking about who the authors and composers of these works were. However, it happened that over the years Ashir became a musician himself. And not just a musician, but a conductor, People's Artist of Turkmenistan.
And before that, there was a passion for playing the dutar in school years, studying at the Ashgabat Music College named after D. Ovezov, working days under the guidance of an experienced composer and teacher of choral conducting Genrikh Stanislavovich Drzhevsky. According to Khodjatov himself, it was Drzhevsky who was able to awaken his undying love for professional skills.
A little later, as a student at the Department of Choral Conducting at the National Conservatory, Ashir finally came to the idea of mastering the profession of a symphony orchestra conductor. The dream comes true when the chief conductor of the Turkmen State Symphony Orchestra O. Berdyev invites the young musician to work as the second conductor of the orchestra.
In the mid-80s of the last century, A. Khodjatov trained in St. Petersburg with the famous conductor, head of the "Orchestra of Ancient and Modern Music" E. Serov. Communication with Serov played a key role in the final development of Khodjatov as a professional. During these years, Khodjatov made his debut with more than ten concerts from the works of world classic composers.
According to many musicologists, with the advent of Khodjatov, a new period in the development of the Turkmen national musical culture begins. The conductor's repertoire, which was enriched annually, gradually began to turn into a solid musical heritage. It was Khodjatov who was one of the first to introduce the music lovers of Turkmenistan to many examples of world musical classics. These were the fifth symphony of P. Tchaikovsky, the first and fifth symphonies of D. Shostakovich. The orchestra, led by Khodjatov, toured various countries and performed works by American, French, Austrian, Kazakh and other national composers.
Famous Turkmen composers H. Allanurov, V. Mukhatov, S. Tuyliev, describing the skill of A. Khodjatov, noted his following features: without thoroughly studying the work, he does not approach the conductor’s stand, trying to ensure that the musicians feel the internal state of the conductor. He is always self-possessed and cold-blooded, there are no trifles for him, he feels the slightest nuances necessary in the performance of a work, but not fixed in the score. In addition, Khodjatov has developed an excellent sense of choosing the tempo performance of a piece.
Since the mid-90s, Khodjatov has been directing the symphony orchestra of the National Conservatory. Working with young people captivates and inspires the conductor and composer. Often, extraordinary feelings arise from when he sees that his student or ward performs a work at a high level of performance. Isn't that a pleasure.
The hero of the day is also pleased that even today many young composers prefer to trust him to perform their first compositions. Is this not a recognition of his diligence and skill. And indeed, even though 70 already, he is still young at heart.
P.S.: The Golden Age editors join in the congratulations to the hero of the day.
