ASKAT JETIGENOV
Askat has been playing Kyrgyz traditional instruments and singing Kyrgyz traditional songs for twenty years – he started when he was five. Kyrgyz songs are usually accompanied by music. He is especially recognized, along with his skills as a composer and conductor, for his master technics as a komuz player, a traditional fretless string instrument.
INTERVIEW – august 2018
What is a Kyrgyz traditional ensemble and in what context is traditional music performed?
People started forming ensembles in the 90’s. Before that, komuzchis (komuz players) would always perform solo.
In ancient times, during the war, there were orchestras, using mostly drums and flutes to invite war spirits and support the warriors. Similar ensembles were also used for rituals.
Nowadays, ensembles are used for weddings and other ceremonies. And soloists also perform during these celebrations.
How did you become involved in Kyrgyz music?
I’ve been listening to music since I was a little child. Everyone in my family was passionate about music. My father was a professional komuz musician and my mother was a traditional singer. But my parents were living in a small village and they didn’t have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. So when I was nine, I was sent to my uncle who was a composer and a virtuoso of Kyrgyz instrument, komuz. With him I learnt all the technics to play this instrument, and he made me discover all aspects of a musician’s activities. I was passionate about this music so I dedicated myself to become a professional musician.
You used to lead the renowned Ordo Sakhna ensemble. How did this adventure start?
This ensemble was already well-known when I was a child. When I moved to Bishkek I was asked to lead the ensemble. When I was a child, listening to this orchestra’s music would give me strong feelings. I was fond of their work. So I enjoyed a lot working with them. But I now have my own projects and I stopped leading the ensemble in 2018.
What are your current projects?
I keep studying and I compose music. With eight of my friends, we started a band called Salt, where we play traditional music as well as compose new music using older traditional pieces. I’m also working on a fusion project called Atkeme. A third project called Kyrgyz Kairek aims at developing and raising awareness about traditional music by working with conservatory students and participating in festivals – including an important culture festival which will take place this year on shores of the Issyk Kul lake. Finally, I am leading and conducting the Jetigen Orchestra, which is a bigger ensemble.
What do you think about traditional music evolving and transforming?
That is a difficult question. We want to preserve our ancestors’ music codes while developing our music. Because traditional music isn’t frozen, it is always evolving. Some people think we have to record our ancestors’ music and keep it as it was. But I believe one can’t strictly keep music codes, because musicians of the time would improvise a lot. Improvisation was actually the basis of music. They challenged themselves by playing their instruments. That was how virtuosos were recognized and so they were always creating new music. For this reason I don’t think one can play traditional music without having it evolve too.
What is music to you?
Music is everything! To me, this is not work, it arises from the depth of my soul. I love what I do.
How do you envision the future of Kyrgyz traditional music?
There is a paradox. Often, small villages inhabitants listen to pop music. While people who never heard traditional music or the komuz fall in love with that music and that instrument.
Traditional music tells about our people’s philosophy. Ancient philosophy is important to us and has been kept alive. Our ancestors experienced difficult situations and our people has learnt from them. Some people talk about primal philosophy, but rather than primal, it’s simple. Today, we still live according to this way of thinking. And traditional music allows us to perpetuate our heritage.
Do you have a message for the world?
I would like people around the world to listen to my music, because music often expresses one’s feelings better than words.