A whole new collection of Adyghean and Abkhazian melodies is
out, meaning the Caucasian Musical Olymp is bestowed with a new resident - His
name Aslan Dudarov. The first album, which Aslan named Guhatl’
("Гухэлъ" -"in Heart") showed the author as a talented
executor and unordinary arranger, who is never afraid to open up his heart and
soul to speak through the language of national harmonika.
Aslan was born and brought up in Nalchik. With his sense of
humour and open smile, he is distinguished for his love to his people and
culture. Adyghean etiquette for Aslan - a norm of life, and music -the life
itself.
Rich folklore, heroic epos and music accompanied Circassian
history throughout centuries. And the spirit of ancestors has not disappeared-
Aslan has turned all his the talents to revive it in full.
"The gene of creativity" lives in Aslan by right
of succession. His grandfather, Hauti Dudarov, studied music in reknown
Leningrad Conservatory, though has remained in literature encyclopedias as a
famous circassian native language writer, journalist, one of the founders of
satire and humour in the Kabardian literature. Aslan's Aunt - Zarema Dudar -a
designer residing in Italy, his mum - Fatima Dudarova-a journalist, working in
Nalchik.
Aslan has chosen musical path, having graduated from
Kabardino-Balkarian Art School, majoring in folk instruments, namely, harmonica
and accordeon. For a short period, Aslan worked with such famous dance groups
as "Bjamiy" and "Kabardinka". Later he moved to Moscow
where he became an acomponist for the dance group "Adygi" in Moscow
Adyghe Culture Hase (Association).
In 2001 Aslan made up his mind to work on his own album of
Circassian music. His aspirations were supported by many successful
Circassians: famous lawyer Albert Kazharov, Arsen Kanokov, Murat Isakov,
Muharbiy Cherkesov, Albert Nazranov.
The project has drown a great number of participants and
assistants. Professionalism of the music performers- Anzor and Murat Uvizh,
Zuber Ivazov, Zaur Chilov, Lebanese Circassian Blyanighap'tsa Nart, supported
by many marvelous voices of Kabarda are impressing. Album cover belong to the
brush of the talented Kabardian artist - Murat Dishech, Italy. Album Design -
the merit of a Syrian Circassian- Yerokua Bishar.
French writer Romain Rolland named music "song of
centuries and a flower of history". One after another, Aslan's soundtracks
take up back to ancient legends and tunes, heard in childhood from
grandmothers.
Here invincible warrior Sosruko competes in power and
dexterity with others narts, dancing on traditional Circassian tri-table –
"ane аIнэ". Here Tlepsh, the master of iron, beating hammers over
anvil … And light-handed Adiyuh runs down the river that echos her sad songs.
And here the god of woods Mezitha blesses Badinokua to furtunate
hunting.Instrumental folk tunes are echoed with music of the nature - the
bird's trills, wispers of the river. Even formerly known melodies in Aslan's
execution begin to sound in a whole new way, causing new associations,bringing
up new images.
In total 15 compositions are presented in the album. Aslan,
as a true collector of musical folklore, has addressed melodies of various
tribes: from Mozdogu (Mezdegu) Kabardians to Black Sea Adygheans, not
overlooking Turkish emigrants: former soloist of ensemble "Kabardinka" Bitok Anzor brought
original Shapsoughian Udge Hurashe (Шапсугский удж "Хъурашэ") and Abazehian Lapelef
("Лъапэлъэф") from Turkey to
Aslan, back to homeland.
We must note that Aslan's musical "know-how" is in
a way a tour into the history of Circassian musical performance.
For instance, the epigraph to the composition "Udge Hesh"
("Удж хэш") is the original music of the famous Kuratsa Chashirgh,
whose accordion is exhibited in the Folklore Museum of Kabardino-Balkaria.
Thus, the album has turned out musically and artly refined.
Here we will find "Kafe", and "Udge - Udzh", "Ghybza",
and "Dzhag'u" in all their variety. Aslan Dudarov appeared to be not
only gifted musician, but also a
pleasant interlocutor.
