Chamber Music Concert by EEGERU

2024.5.9（Thursday）19:30

CCOM Opera & Concert Hall

Program

1、Aigerim Seilova           sh_b_alau                        6’

2、Omarkhan Nesiphanov      String quartet                    15’

3、Rakhat-Bi Abdyssagin      Chant lunaire du vent              12’

4、Jamilya Jazylbekova       Chiaroscuro                      4’

5、Sanzhar Baiterekov        Halo                            8’

6、Zheng ZHANG           Left & Right                      9’

7、Chen Xiaolong           Life, Dream, and Enlightenment      9’

Introduction 

EEGERU

EEGERU is the first and only contemporary music ensemble in Kazakhstan, created by a group of like-minded people in 2015. EEGERU, united by a passion for modern forms of musical thinking, is unique in that its participants play both European instruments (flute, clarinet, piano, violin, cello) and folk (kyl-kobyz). The ensemble's concerts are an exclusive program marked by a world or Kazakh premiere. EEGERU collaborates with young Kazakhstani composers. Behind the shoulders of the collective are the international festivals of contemporary music NAURYZ XXI (2018) and Eegeru Connect.Made in Germany (2019), musical and theatrical production by Bethoven.Mute (2020) and cooperation with international organizations (Goethe Institute Kazakhstan, British Council).

Composers

Sanzhar Baiterekov  Founder of EEGERU

Sanzhar Baiterekov was born in January 31, 1987 in Almaty (Kazakhstan). In 2007, he graduated from the piano department of Almaty Musical College. From 2007-2009 he studied at the Department of Composition in the Kazakh National Academy of Music in Astana. In 2013 graduated from the composition department of Moscow State Conservatory led by Leonid Bobylev. In 2015 completed post graduate program in Moscow State Conservatory led by Leonid Bobylev. Currently, he is an artistic director of the first contemporary music ensemble in Kazakhstan «Eegeru».

He is the winner of national and international competitions:
"Samal" (Astana.1 Prize in 2008), Astana-Baiterek (Astana. 2nd Prize, 2008), International Competition for composers to create works of compulsory round II of the Second International Competition of Moscow Conservatory for for Wind and Percussion (Moscow, winner in 2010),The 6th Pre art competition for young composers (Zurich, 2nd Prize 2011), participant (auditor) of the First international academy for young composers of the Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble in Tchaikovsky, participant of the Summer Composition Institute of the Harvard Music Department (Boston, 2012), a student of the Second international academy for young composers of the Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble in Tchaikovsky,the VIIth Jurgeson competition for young composers (Moscow. 2nd Prize, 2013).

In 2015 - 2019 Senior lecturer and director of Center of contemporary music in Kazakh National conservatory named after Kurmangazy.

In 2015-2016 participated in a project of Goethe Institute «Over barriers» in which collaborated with russian media directors «ProvMyza» and with Theater an der Parkaue.

In 2016 wrote music to the first Popmechanickal spectacle in Kazakhstan «Medea.Material» (on the text by H.Muller) which was selected to Contemporary theatrical festival «NET» (Moscow).

In 2017 wrote music for children's play «Ich,Ikarus» on libretto by Oliver Schmaering in Theater «An Der Parkaue» (Berlin).

His music is performed by ensembles such as "Studio for New
Music" (Russia), Pre-arte Convergence (Switzerland), GAM ensemble (Russia), Talea ensemble (USA), MECM (Russia), ensemble MusikFabrik (Germany). Participant of international festivals such as Gaudeamus music week, The 1st Intenational festival Magister ludi, Moscow autumn, New Russia-new Europe, ars musica 2012 and others.

Attended master classes given by P. Billone, F.Bedrossian, H. Chernowin, S. Takasugi, H.Tuchku, M.Andre, K.Lang, Vladimir Tarnopolski, Dmitry Kurliandski and many others.Since 2014, he is a member of Moscow composers union and vice president of Kazakh composers association (from 2020).

Aigerim Seilova

Aigerim Seilova born in Kazakhstan, based in Hamburg, is a composer, performer, and media artist. Recognized for her compositions characterized by a blend of high professionalism and a distinctive language (SHMF), Seilova, who studied composition at the Moscow Conservatory, is currently pursuing a doctorate in artistic research at the Hamburg University of Music and Drama under the mentorship of Georg Hajdu, Nina Noeske, and Elmar Lampson. Employing a diverse range of tools, including audio, video, sensors, and electronics, she creates immersive and innovative musical experiences.

Omarkhan Nesiphanov

Omarkhan Nesiphanov born in 1953. In 1979 he graduated from Kazakh National conservatory. Died in 1983. Despite his short life, he wrote more than 100 compositions for various ensembles, from chamber-instrumental to one-act opera. 

Abdyssagin Rakhat-Bi

Abdyssagin Rakhat-Bi (born 02.02.1999, Kazakhstan) – is a composer, pianist, researcher. Winner of the State Youth Award ‘Daryn’ of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2016), holder of the Honorary Badge ‘For Merits in the Development of Culture and Art’ of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly (2016), member of the Association of Tchaikovsky Competition Stars (2018). Winner of the first National Project ‘100 New Faces of Kazakhstan’ (2017).

Zhang Zheng

Professor of Central Conservatory of Music, Compose 

Dean of the academy of Music Education. 

Member of the Music Education Core Curriculum Guidance Group for the National Arts Professional Degree;

The Honorary winner of "Annual Behind the Scenes (Composition)"at the first annual Chinese TV Drama Ceremony of the China Media Group; 

Won the first prize of Beijing Education and Teaching Achievement and the first prize of Beijing School Aesthetic Education scientific research paper selection; 

In 2016, composed music for the official promotional video of G20 Summit "Hangzhou";

In 2021, Composed for the major revolutionary historical TV drama "The Great Battle" produced by China Media Group China,and composed the theme song "Cun Xin";

In 2022, On the occasion of the "May 4th" Youth Day,composed the song "To Our Generation"for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the group and was released by Xinhua News Agency;

In 2023, composed cheering song "Ren Wo" for the first National Student (Youth) Games and released by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League.

The Chamber ensemble "Zuo You", chorus "That Time" and youth version "I Love You, China" were published and distributed by People's Music Publishing House and Central Conservatory of Music Publishing House.

Main works of film and television music composition:

"Ba Zi" "The Great Battle" "Chinese Expeditionary Force" "Good Days in Life" etc.

Main works of song composition:

"Ren Jian Xing He" "Inch of Heart/Cun Xin" "Deeply Loved" "To Our Generation" "Ren Wo"  "Never Asked" "Shou Wang" "plum blossom/Mei" "Born Extraordinary"etc.

Left & Right

This piece is composed for erhu, piano, and string quartet, and is the commissioned work of the "211" Chamber Music Masterpiece Project. The music is set against the background of modern social life, which is tense, busy, and extremely stressful (piano and string quartet). Through the fluctuations of melody, changes of rhythm, contrast of strength and weakness, and interweaving of voices,it expresses the complex mentality of people ( erhu ) who running around " left and right " , being embarrassed " left and right ", and thinking " left and right "in this environment.

Chen Xiaolong

Dr. Chen Xiaolong, a renowned composer and specialist in music education, currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Composition Department at the Central Conservatory of Music. His professional accolades include his influential tenure as the Executive Director of the Beijing Modern Music Festival and his pivotal role as the Secretary-General for the songwriting competition during the 26th World University Games in Shenzhen. Additionally, he played a crucial part in initiating the National Certification of Music Educators program at the conservatory.

His repertoire is marked by a spectrum of innovative works, such as Distant Realms, Chamber Concerto, Four Tales of Ephemeral Life, Heaven and Man for recitation, dance, and music. His oeuvre also features Future Illusions and Life, Dream, and Enlightenment.

Life, Dream, and Enlightenment

Within the rich philosophical framework of Zhuangzi, the notions of "life" and "dream," as well as "awakening" and "waking," are not simply set in opposition but are intricately interwoven, existing as states that are both interconnected and mutually defining. Drawing from his deep well of thought, concepts such as 'free wandering' , 'Discussion on Making All Things Equal' , 'life and death as a dream' , and 'the natural way of the Dao' , serve as a fountain of inspiration for this musical composition.

This work embraces the expressive force of music to narrate the journey of personal awakening and the search for understanding within life's expansive story. It embarks on an in-depth philosophical exploration of the nature of existence, voicing a profound aspiration to transcend the limitations of the physical world in the quest for spiritual freedom.

 Performer

Liu Lei

Liu Lei is a Senior Performer at the Chinese Academy of the Arts and a Master's Supervisor at Tianjin Conservatory of Music. She is a member of the China Nationalities Orchestra Society and the deputy secretary-general of the Committee for the Popularization of Ethnic Music Arts. 

Her erhu journey began under the guidance of her father, and she later refined her skills with Professor Li Changgong at Harbin Normal University. In 1996, she was admitted to the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) primary school, where she studied under the renowned Professor Tian Zaili. She continued her academic pursuits, completing her undergraduate and graduate studies at CCOM in 2003 and 2007, respectively, before joining the Chinese Academy of the Arts in 2010.

Liu Lei has performed both as a soloist and in concerto settings on the erhu, showcasing her talent at significant events such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics closing ceremony, National Day galas, and various music festivals. Her international engagements have spanned performances and cultural exchanges in countries including Thailand, Germany, Singapore, Russia, Mexico, Australia, and the Philippines.

She has premiered numerous chamber music works both domestically and internationally. Liu Lei has also contributed to the educational sphere with her work on the "Introduction to Chinese Ethnic Bowed Instruments" remote education course. Her discography includes the chamber music album and a solo album. In 2021, she co-created the experimental short film "Boundless," which creatively integrates erhu performance with body movement and was shortlisted for the Berlin Short Film Festival.