When Oud meets Rabab
Toshkent, Uzbekistan. The meeting of the Oud and its Uzbek cousin, the Rabab, in a 16th-century madrasah, with the collaboration of the Sogdiana orchestra.
Watch the videoThe Story
July 2018. In the context of this Silk Roads project, my journey naturally takes me to Uzbekistan. How do I establish a collaboration with the Uzbek musicians?
Upon my arrival in the country, I fall upon Alexander Jumal, one of Uzbekistan's foremost ethnomusicologists. During our meeting, he mentions an orchestra at the Tashkent Conservatory that exclusively plays traditional Uzbek instruments. This greatly sparks my interest, marking the first time in my journey that I encounter a group that is actively preserving their musical heritage through an orchestra. When I reach out to the conservatory, Ms. Firuza Abdurakhimova, the orchestra's conductor, warmly welcomes me and expresses a keen interest in the prospect of a musical collaboration.
Sogdiana, the name of this orchestra, is comprised of highly skilled and professional musicians who teach their respective instruments in a manner consistent with conservatory standards, complete with sheet music. Despite the language barrier that limits our communication, I sense a meaningful exchange and a deep enthusiasm on their part. Under Firuza's leadership, each member exhibits respect and eagerness to perform the piece flawlessly. Firuza leads an ensemble of more than 20 musicians and exudes qualities of respect, generosity, knowledge, and kindness.
Together, we decide to perform a lively and danceable traditional Uzbek piece called "Tamanno". Regarding instrument selection, we agree that the Doira, Bukhara Rubab, Ney, Gygak, Kopuz, and Qushnay will accompany the two principal instruments: the Rubab and the Oud.
Both the Rubab and the Oud are monophonic instruments, and I personally notice that they do not harmonize well when played simultaneously. Consequently, we approach this piece with a "dialogue" or "question and answer" pattern. This structure allows the listener to fully appreciate the distinct flavors, embellishments, and subtleties of these two instruments, which have notably different ornamentation styles. While the classical approach to playing the Oud differs from that of the Rubab, I make an effort to infuse an element of the Rubab's style into my Oud performance. It takes some time for me to grasp the nuances of ornamentation in the track "Tamanno." Despite having the musical notes for the piece, the musicians' personal touch encourages me not to rely solely on the written annotations and explore the use of ornaments.
After recording the audio at the conservatory, we shoot the music video in a 16th-century old madrasah, initially a complex comprising a mosque, madrasah, and bathhouse known as the Madrasah of Abdulkasim Sheikh. In the square-shaped courtyard bordered by dormitories, we all gather around a traditional "tapchan" (bed table) dressed in Sogdiana Orchestra attire and play Tamanno in this remarkable and historic location. This experience is undoubtedly one of the most exciting moments of my entire journey.
I hold great admiration for the Sogdiana Orchestra and the incredibly hospitality of the Uzbek people.
Production
and credits
Music title : Tamanno
Composer : Traditional uzbek
SOGDIANA orchestra with :
- Rabab : Qosim Nazarov Pozilovich
- Afghani rabab : Dilshodjon Meliboyev Alijonovich
- Gyjak : Bakhromov Shokhyorbek Shavkatbek Ugli
- Double bass : Islombek Abdulazizov Oybek Ugli
- Doira : Abdullo Ubaydullayev Shukurullo Ugli
- Qoshnay : Sardor Primov Islom Ugli
- Nay : Bekzod Turaev Abdurashitovich
- Conductor : Firuza Ravshanovna Abdurakhimova
Oud : Ibantuta
Music arrangement : Ibantuta
Field recording : Ibantuta
Studio recording and mixing : Patrick Fischer
Mastering : Jean-François Hustin
Album : The Musical Threads of the Silk Roads
Video Production : Ibantuta
Year of release : 2023