“Enjoy your life while you still have your petals, Don't let suffering spread in your body. Don't exhaust the voice of the nightingale Singing beautifully in the garden.” -- “Qïzïl gül (Red Flower)” Traditional Salamat Sadikova, vocals & komuz
One of the most immediately striking features of Kyrgyz vocal music is the ability of its finest exponents to sustain notes at full volume for a seemingly superhuman duration. As Kyrgyzstan’s foremost singer, Salamat Sadikova is an acknowledged master of this technique, as well as of the other facets of Kyrgyz music. Her voice, generally self-accompanied on the traditional komuz, is a source of great pride and indentification among the people of Kyrgyzstan. She also has a substantial following among Russian expatriate communities around the world.
Widely acknowledged as a Kyrgyz national treasure, Salamat Sadikova has also appeared in Europe and Asia. Her first North American concerts are planned for the 2007-2008 season.
Video
“Alymkan” -- a Kyrgyz favorite and one of the most popular vocal showpieces in the traditional Kyrgyz repertoire.
