NEWS
A DEBUT WITH A GLISSANDO: MUSIC CONSERVATORY STUDENTS PERFORM JAZZ HITS
A concert played by a jazz band at the Maya Kulieva Turkmen National Conservatory’s Small Hall has proved a success. The jazz band is the brainchild of four-year student at the Department of Wind and Percussion Instruments Baba Mukhamedov (saxophone and clarinet), who once told his friends Ilgiz Galimov (saxophone and clarinet) and Kakageldy Gurbanmuradov (percussion) about his long-cherished dream. The friends supported him with enthusiasm and invited the fourth band-mate, flute player Selbi Annagurbanova. Natella Bagirova, a guiding hand and piano accompanist of the new band, helped to select the pieces of music and prepare the concert program.
While preparing for the debut concert, the young musicians had admirably mastered the jazz improvisation techniques, guided by the postulate that jazz is the highest level of professionalism coupled with the almost indescribable and inexpressible state of mind.
The concert opened with Sarah Daintree’s ‘Saxophone Thoughts’ performed by Baba Mukhamedov. The wonderfully expressive sounds of the saxophone captivated listeners at once. The saxophone player’s brilliant performance of the piece with its uniquely characteristic intoning with low notes and emotionally intense hot jazz rhythms received enthusiastic applause.
George Gershwin’s ‘Oh, Lady, Be Good’, the fusion of song and dance, was a big hit with the audience. At first, the two-part theme was played, and then the musicians performed their parts in a light, improvising manner. The piece concluded with the expressive piano solo by Natella Bagirova.
“Clap Yo’ Hands’ and ‘The Man I Love’ reflect a democratic character of George Gershwin’s music. The composer’s musical language is colorful and replete with sharp humor and grotesque. Interestingly, Gershwin subtly interlaced his pop music with elements of classical music. The pieces have dashes of quintal and quartal harmony peculiar to African-American choral music. The band members vividly captured the mood, accurately conveying the expressive nuances to the listeners.
The concert program also featured one of the most famous jazz pieces ‘Autumn Leaves’ by Joseph Kosma with its great emotional depth and lightness. The composition shows a parallel between autumn and love.
Particularly notable was Issak Dunayevsky’s ‘Lullaby’ performed by the band, which enchanted with its buoyant mood. No less impressive for the audience was Tahiti Trot by Vincent Youmans. The saxophone solo was intensified by the second saxophone in perfect harmony. The percussion and piano parts accented the swing rhythm.
Ilgiz Galimov brilliantly played Sidney Bechet’s Tango ‘A Small Flower’ (Petite Fleur). The saxophone solo was accompanied by the suitably dramatic and emotionally charged piano and percussion parts.
The event ended on a positive note with Joe Garland’s ‘In the Mood’. Rhythmic drum beats communicated an array of intense emotions while a virtuoso piano glissando highlighted the jazz band’s creative playing.
The concert was very well received and made a powerful impression on the audience.