Tlep
(2006)Part of text by the ancient philosopher, Abai Ibragim Kunanbaiuli
The five soloists include an improvising "western" saxophone player and four Kazak folk musicians. The four Kazak musicians play the kobyz (which resembles a violin but has only two strings and is played in an upright fashion on the knee), the saz syrmay (which is the Kazak version of the ocarina), the dombra (similar to a balalaika with two strings), and the jaw's harp (doubling bass voice drone).
Abbreviations (PDF)
Boosey & Hawkes
Tlep was commissioned by, and dedicated to, Sapar Iskakov, an eminent Kazak philanthropist, patron of the arts and businessman. The piece is named after his ancestor, the celebrated composer and kobyz player, Tlep Aspantaiuly.
In all my works I tend to look outside the purely western European for inspiration and freshness so here was a heaven sent opportunity to marry what I do to Kazak culture. The piece is scored for female choir, symphony orchestra and four percussionists who play both Kazak and "world" percussion instruments. There are five featured soloists, an improvising, ‘western’ saxophone player and four Kazak folk musicians; the aforementioned kobyz [which resembles a violin but which has two strings and is played in an upright fashion on the knee] the saz syrmay [which is the Kazak version of the ocarina] the dombra [similar to a balalaika with two strings] and the jaw’s harp, the player doubling bass voice drone.
Within the piece I have referred to two indigenous Kazak melodies [in Dudarai and My Eyes] and also included text by the ancient philosopher, Abai.
Karl Jenkins
Reproduction Rights
This programme note can be reproduced free of charge in concert programmes with a credit to the composer.