Places of music
Music has the power to heal, soothing the soul and touching even our deepest emotions. In this article, we dive into Uzbekistan’s traditional music, exploring three places most strongly associated with music – the soul of the Uzbek people.
Words by Shakhina Khayrullaeva
BIG THEATRE, BIG HISTORY
Thanks to its unique architecture and interior design, Navoi Theatre of Opera and Ballet is full of wonderful details. Entering the theater, you find yourself in the ‘hanger’ of the building – a large, foyer-like hallway with a dressing room, unusually-shaped mirrors and wooden doors from the 20th century. Venture up to the second floor and you’ll find hidden here the theatre’s ‘dessert’ – paintings by Soviet Uzbek muralist Chingiz Akhmarov from the mid-to-late 20th century. The ceiling of the hall is hand painted and decorated with gold.
A view of the stage of the Navoi Theatre of Opera and Ballet
The theatre is quite grand, with threestorey boxes on either side of the auditorium and an orchestra pit in the centre.
Opera singers say that this hall is a wonderful place to perform thanks to the acoustics in the hall. More than 400 productions have been staged at the Navoi Theatre, including famed compositions by Tchaikovsky, Bizet and Mozart performed by Uzbek musicians.
Outside view of the Navoi Theatre of Opera and Ballet
The theatre also sees a regular lineup of traditional Uzbek dance, particularly Lazgi - Dance of Soul and Love, which has been part of the Navoi Theatre's permanent repertoire since 2021. Lazgi, a 3000-year-old dance from Khorezm, is listed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Lazgi preserves the culture, values and spirit of the Uzbek people through time. This show, accompanied by special traditional music, is a wonderful place to encounter the lazgi dance for the first time.
MAQOM: THE ART OF LIVING
Maqom is a vocal and instrumental genre of music consisting of three main types based on the places each hails from: Bukhara Shashmaqom, Khorezm Maqom and Fergana-Tashkent Maqom. Maqom is distinguished by its unique sound and melodies. This genre of music is handed down year after year and continues to evolve, absorbing new techniques from each musical generation.
The Maqom Museum in Shakhrisabz (Kashkadarya Region) houses a comprehensive history of Uzbek folk music. Since opening in 2018 (to coincide with the First International Maqom Art Festival), the museum has quickly gained public attention with its unique exhibits and collections, such as the collection of maqom instruments, including the tanbur, dutar, doira, surnai and dombra. Also within is a collection tracing the history of Uzbek national music through photographs of famous maqom art historians who have made significant contributions to the development of the genre. Among them are Yunus Rajabiy, Komiljon Otaniyazov, Usman Zafarov and Komil Devoni.
HEART OF THE CAPITAL
The jewel of Tashkent’s musical scene is the Palace of International Forums, which stands proudly in Amir Timur Square. It is an enchanting venue in which to experience the wonder of classical music, with regular performances and concerts held on a monthly basis. The concert hall typically hosts symphonic evenings, including orchestra performances, international singers and celebratory concerts by local stars.
Outside view of the Palace of International Forums
Opened in 2009, the palace is a mix of modern and traditional Uzbek architecture and was designed to host state gatherings, cultural performances and congresses. Its white marble columns, combined with blue details in the form of large windows, make a striking structure.
The interior foyer was done in the style of Versailles, combining the luxury of gold, with marble steps and the grandeur of large, crystal chandeliers. The palace itself has a seating capacity of 1800, while the banquet and conference halls can hold 300 guests each.
