Moldobasanov, Kaly

 Moldobasanov Kaly Moldobasanovich (born September 28, 1929, in the village of Terek, Naryn Region, Kyrgyzstan – died May 29, 2006, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) was a famous Kyrgyz and Soviet composer, conductor, music teacher and public figure. Moldobasanov’s creativity includes numerous ballets, symphonic and chamber compositions, cantatas, ballads, movie and theatre soundtracks, and arrangements for Kyrgyz folk instruments orchestra. His music reflects the proud and freedom-loving spirit of the Kyrgyz people, their history, traditions, way of life and mentality. Moldobasanov’s most famous works are the ballets Kuiruchuk (1958) and Mother’s Field (1975), which are being performed today.

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BIOGRAPHY

Background and childhood

Kaly Moldobasanov was born into the family of Moldobasan Musulmankulov, who was a famous akyn (Kyrgyz bard and singer of epics) and People’s Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR (Soviet Socialist Republic). From early childhood, he had great aspiration for music and since Kaly was 12 years old, he began musical activities in the Kyrgyz folk instruments orchestra.

Education

Since 1945, continuing to work in the orchestra, Kaly studied conducting and violin at the Kyrgyz State College of Music and Choreography, in 1950, graduating it with honors. The same year Moldobasanov entered Moscow State Conservatory and, in 1954, graduated from Lev Ginzburg's conducting class.

Music career

In 1954, Moldobasanov returned to the city of Frunze (since 1991 – Bishkek) and began his conducting career at the Kyrgyz Opera and Ballet Theater. More than three decades, composer’s creative life had been associated with the theater staff. From 1966 to 1973, Moldobasanov worked as the chief conductor, and the rest of the time he was a conductor at the theater.

During this period, he made a huge contribution to the development of the musical theater art of the republic, he successfully staged and conducted dozens of national, classical and modern performances, carried out a number of significant premieres, including the operas – Othello, Boris Godunov, Manas; ballets – Kuiruchuk, Asel, ballet-oratorio Mother’s Field, his most famous work, which is significant as a successful attempt to develop a new branch of Kyrgyz art.

Teaching career

 In 1955, the composer started his teaching career. He worked as a teacher at the Kyrgyz State College of Music and Choreography. Since 1975, after graduating from the Kyrgyz State Institute of Arts, he remained there at the Department of Composition as a teacher. In 1978, Moldobasanov was awarded the academic title of associate professor, and, in 1984, he was awarded the academic title of professor. In 1983-1986, Moldobasanov was the rector of the Kyrgyz State Institute of Arts. Since 1989 he was head of the Opera Training Department.

Union of Soviet Composers

Moldobasanov’s activities in the Union of Soviet Composers occupied an important place in his life. In 1964, he became a member of the Union’s Executive Board of Kyrgyz Soviet Composers, in 1967 he became the Deputy Chairman of the Board, and since 1979 he was the Chairman of the Board and Secretary of the Board of the Union of Soviet Composers.

Kaly Moldobasanov was awarded the State Premium of the USSR in 1976 and the title of People’s Artist of the USSR.

Death

Moldobasanov died on May 29, 2006, and was buried at the Ala-Archa cemetery in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Moldobasanov’s major works

• 1957 – Symphonic dances Youth, Dance of Labor
• 1958 – Symphonic dances Spring Waltz, Dance of Tulips
• 1958 – Ballet Kuiruchuk (with Herman Grigorievich Okunev)
• 1962 – Suite People of Our Day
• 1972 – Oratorio Glory to Kyrgyzstan
• 1975 – Ballet-oratorio Mother’s Field (based on Chingiz Aitmatov’s story “Mother’s Field”)
• 1977 – Suite Legend
• 1978 – Suite In the Country of Manas
• 1982 – Suite Semetey, Son of Manas
• 1984 – Ballet Zhanyl-Myrza (co-authored with M. Burshtin)
• 1986 – Ballet The Tale of Mankurt

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SHEET MUSIC

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You can find and download free scores of the composer:

•  MOMENTS. Seven preludes