Language(s) Kyrgyz Composer: Nurlanbek Nyshanov (b. 1966) Performers: Nurlanbek Nyshanov, Gulbara Baigashkaeva, Asylbek Nasirdinov, metal jew’s harp (temir komuz) and wooden jew’s harp (jygach ooz komuz)
“‘Jangylyk’ is an experimental piece for jew’s harp trio,” says Nurlanbek Nyshanov about his new composition. “The players try to extract all possible overtones from their instruments - overtones that aren’t typically used in jew’s harp music. Moreover, jew’s harps have traditionally been solo instruments, whereas we perform as a small consort. In composing ‘Jangylyk,’ I drew on my conservatory training in counterpoint: there are canons and melodic motifs in contrary motion. We learned the piece from musical notation and play it from a score, even though it has the feeling of an improvised jam session. The jew’s harp is truly a global instrument and provides a wonderful timbral resource for composers.”