The Maya Kulieva Turkmen National Music Conservatory has hosted a concert to mark the 120th anniversary of the birth of People’s Artist of Turkmenistan, outstanding dutar and gijak player, composer and teacher Purli Saryev.
Purli Saryev, the son of renowned musician Sary Bagshi, was born on October 17, 1900 in the village of Byami near Baherden (Akhal Velayat).His father began teaching the dutar to him at a young age.
He learned the gijak (a spike fiddle) with Khanmammed Allanurov, who performed together with Sary Bagshi.When Purli was 12, he accompanied his father playing the gijak.He continued his musical education under famous Kel Bagshi, who helped his talented student to sharpen his skills for six years… The tribute event featured well-known compositions for dutar and gijak.
Bagshis and their music are an essential part of Turkmen culture, a symbiosis of spirituality and folk art, a rich and lasting legacy suffused with folk traditions, wisdom and knowledge perfected by each generation of performers.
Performances given by accomplished and budding musicians alike at the event were a vivid demonstration of this.Speaking prior to the concert, Vice Rector of the Maya Kulieva Turkmen National Conservatory Yazmurat Rejepov told about the signature playing style of virtuoso performer Purli Saryev and his notable contribution to developing traditions and bringing the richly diverse folk music to the fore.
The concert opened with “Şatlyk” (Joy) by Purli Saryev performed by the Folk Instrument Orchestra under the baton of Honored Artist of Turkmenistan, a senior teacher at the Turkmen National Music Conservatory Omar Igamov.
People’s Artists of Turkmenistan, Conservatory senior teachers Mukhammetdurdy Mukhammetniyazov and Akmyrat Charyev, Honored Bagshi of Turkmenistan Kerven Evbasarov and teacher Kerven Aydogdyev played melodies captivating the audience with truly unique, powerful, and expressive dutar sounds.
People’s Artist of Turkmenistan, Conservatory senior teacher Shemshat Khojaeva performed Purli Saryev’s “Lälezar Bolar”.The musical program also included the composer’s other works played by teachers and students of the Conservatory.
People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Akmurat Charyev, who performed “Recollection” by Oraz Saryev (he had devoted to his older brother Purli) masterfully conveyed the deep and intense emotions of the piece.
Played by Honored Art Worker of Turkmenistan Osman Gujumov, “Balsaýat”, a lyrical folk melody, imbued with poetic images, brought the event to a close.