Almaty’s Kurmangazy Conservatory Choir and choir rector and People’s Artist of Kazakhstan Zhaniya Aubakirova performed at the Beijing Modern Music Festival (BMMF) 2014, along with performers and composers of modern music from around the world.
The festival took place in Beijing from May 16-22 and included compositions by composers from across the globe, including Italy, the U.S., Moldova, Russia, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
After the performance, Aubakirova spoke about the growing number of young, talented musicians in Kazakhstan, the Kurmangazy Conservatory’s achievements over the last 10 years and the successful international cooperation established by the institution.
“The conservatory cooperates with partner institutions from all over the world. Our students have performed on the stages of Berlin, London, Venice, Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities. In 2009, the student symphony orchestra toured the U.S., giving concerts in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Boston and New York,” said Aubakirova.
According to the rector, there is no lack of talented young musicians among the students in the conservatory at the moment. “Our students were among the winners at different international music competitions and festivals. Their performances had success abroad. We have already performed in European countries and Russia. This time we decided to go to Asia. This is the first time our choir has performed in China, although solo artists gave concerts in South Korea and China several years ago,” she said.
Aubakirova also noted that during the festival she met meet with the administration of the Guangzhou Conservatory and Central Conservatory of Beijing. “We were invited to visit the Guangzhou Conservatory after the performance in order to conclude a cooperation agreement. We need to increase the cooperation opportunities with our Asian colleagues. This September we are also planning to visit Seoul,” she said.
The 10-year-old BeijingModern Music Festival is supported by China’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture.The festival has become a major modern music event in China and has a growing international reputation. “BMMF is committed to disseminating modern music, promoting an international artistic and cultural communication as well as building a platform for young musicians,” reads the festival’s website. Over the past decade, nearly 400 concerts and 100 lectures and master classes have been organised through the BMMF.
