Artistes performing at the concert.
Kazakh State String Quartet’s recent concert celebrating Kazakhstan’s 27th Independence Day was yet another triumphant occasion showcasing the wealth of musical talent of the Central Asian country to the audience of Qatar. It was not the first time that an ensemble from Kazakhstan had graced the opulent Katara Opera House stage.
Speaking before the concert, Kazakhstan Ambassador Askar Shokybayev recalled that the Kazakhstan Embassy in partnership with the Cultural Village Foundation – Katara already staged a number of concerts featuring Kazakhs ensembles.
In December 2016, the 20-member Kazakhstani orchestra Camerata of Kazakhstan performed on the same stage on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan Independence. Just in March this year, Katara hosted the international Almaty symphony orchestra by international musician Marat Bisengaliyev, this time to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Kazakhstan.
For this, Ambassador Shokybayev expressed his gratitude to Katara its invaluable support in the development of cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Introducing the ensemble, the ambassador said: “The State Quartet is considered one of the best chamber ensembles of Kazakhstan. It is distinguished by its high performing skills, virtuoso playing techniques, beauty of sound, subtle sense of style and ensemble culture.”
He said that the quartet had already won many prestigious international competitions and festivals in various countries and performed in different cities in their home country as well as abroad — in the best concert halls of France, England, Austria, Spain, Italy and Turkey, among other countries. The well-attended concert provided the classical music lovers in Doha an idea of the range of the quartet’s repertoire spanning classical music from around the world and masterpieces of Kazakhstani composers.
Cellist Yernar Myntaev and violinists Aidar Toktaliyev, Alexey Lebedev and Bekzat Sailaubaiuly regaled the audience with their flawless performance of compositions by renowned European composers Joseph Haydn and Maurice Ravel.
The multi-awarded quartet currently composed of fourth generation musicians also played a famous composition by the first Kazakh female composer Gaziza Zhubanova. Written in three movements, Zhubanova’s “String quartet no 1” was met with a warm applause from the audience comprising Kazakhstanis and other nationalities.
But the final performance was the most applauded as famous Kazakh musician Assylbek Yensepov joined the group playing the Dombra — a native lute which is the most popular musical instrument in Kazakhstan.
Together, the quintet played famous compositions Yerke Sylkym and Aday to the delight of the Kazakh crowd.
The concert was attended by Saif Al Dosary, Human Resources Manager at Katara and several diplomats and dignitaries.
