Symphony Orchestra of the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory November 20, 2009

The Symphony Orchestra of the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory and the Kazakh traditional music ensemble Turan make their North American debut November 2009.

The North American debut of Turan and the Symphony Orchestra showcases two facets of Kazakhstan's rich musical culture: the ancient instrumental and vocal folk traditions of its historically nomadic people, and the European tradition of classical music introduced to the country through Russian influence.

Under the direction of two rising star conductors, French conductor Christophe Mangou and Kazakh conductor Kanat Omarov, the program begins with the Symphony Orchestra performing Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet-Overture Fantasy, followed by Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring celebrated Kazakh pianist Jania Aubakirova as soloist.

Kazakh traditional music ensemble Turan takes the stage to perform a traditional composition, titled Kerogly, in addition to traditional songs. Founded in 2008 by a group of students from the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory, the members of Turan are award-winning folk artists who have performed around the world. Turan performs on ancient Kazakh instruments, including the lute-like zhetygen, sherter, and dombra (all plucked); the kyl kobyz ("the most ancient bowed instrument on earth"); the flute-like sybyzgy and saz syrnay; together with a host of percussive instruments, mouth harps, and throat singing.

The program continues with the world premiere of Jamilya, a symphonic poem for Turan as soloists with orchestra, by award-winning contemporary Kazakh composer Aktoty Raimkulova. The program concludes with the William Tell Overture, the famous finale from Gioacchino Rossini's last opera and Leonard Bernstein's Overture to Candide.

Official Website: http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&event=RKXAM