Various Artists – Әlşәy: Bashkir Music (Antonovka Records, 2024)
Әlşәy: Bashkir Music presents an array of talented Bashkir Music artists, offering a captivating glimpse into the musical heritage of the Bashkirs, a Turkic people comprising approximately 1.7 million individuals. This fascinating collection includes a cappella performances as well as timeless songs featuring vocals with instrumental accompaniment.
The Bashkirs predominantly inhabit the Republic of Bashkortostan nestled in the southern reaches of the Ural Mountains within the vast expanse of the Russian Federation. Nearly two-thirds of this culturally rich community call this region home.
Within Bashkortostan lies the Alsheevsky district (known as “Әlşәy rayonı” in the Bashkir language), one of the 54 administrative districts of the region, with its administrative centered situated in the quaint village of Raevsky.
Central to Bashkir Music is the revered instrument known as the quray, alternatively spelled as qurai or kurai. Crafted from the elongated stem of the quray plant, this end-blown flute evokes a rich cultural symbolism, epitomized by its depiction on the heraldic emblems and banners of Bashkortostan. While historically fashioned from the plant stem, contemporary iterations often utilize wood veneer in its construction.
The compositions in this album were meticulously recorded on July 21, 2023, within the House of Culture in Raevsky.
Muusicians: Akhnaf Kutluzamanov (Novosepyashevo village) on vocals; Anisa Vakhitova (Tashly village) on vocals; Nail Sadykov on quray; Shakir Zaripov (Chebenli village) on vocals and button accordion; Gulnur Minigulova (Chebenli village) on vocals; Gafia Gubaidullina (Tashly village) on vocals; Ilgam Fazylov (Nikifarovo village) on vocals; and Niyaz Gizzatullin on quray.
Buy Әlşәy: Bashkir Music.
Author: Douglas Sanders
