The Bandistan Ensemble, Music From Central Asia

NEW YORK, July 14, 2016 — The Bandistan Ensemble, a group of musicians from Kyrgyzstan, Kazahkstan, and Uzbekistan, performed a blend of new compositions and traditional Central Asian music at Asia Society on Thursday evening. (1 hr., 42 min.)

The Bandistan Ensemble is a group of talented musicians from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan who perform traditional Central Asian music, as well as new compositions using non-traditional techniques. The group was created from CEC ArtsLink’s Playing Together Central Asian Music Academy, a two-year program of workshops and concerts for young musicians from Central Asia.

Bandistan Ensemble’s roots represent the traditions of Central Asian nomadic traditions, characterized by oral epics and animist spirituality, as well as the more sedentary traditions that reflect a secular Islamic influence, embellished with elaborate musical ornamentation. Bandistan Ensemble’s members represent both of these regional traditions but also move into new territory with the inclusion of western instruments — viola, violin, and keyboard— and with contemporary notation, listening, and collaboration techniques.

This unique concert brings the twelve Central Asian musicians together at Asia Society where audiences will be treated to the rapturous sounds of the komuz, qyl-qobys, ooz, setor and tanbur, as well as western instruments. The performers’ breathtaking musicianship and infectious enthusiasm will captivate in rare opportunity to experience traditional and new music from Central Asia.

The two-week Bandistan Ensemble visit to the U.S. is a part of Playing Together and is fully supported by a two-year grant to CEC ArtsLink from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.