Bassoons

Olzhas Ashirmatov

In the orchestra since 2019

Olzhas Ashirmatov was born on November 3, 1987 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In 2007, he finished the Akhmet Zhubanov Kazakh Republic specialized music school for talented children where he had studied under Yuri Lukichev and Nurtas Aigalkaev. In 2011, he graduated from Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover (class of professor Dag Jensen). In 2011–2016, he studied at Hochschule für Musik und Theater München (class of professor Dag Jensen).

Olzhas Ashirmatov is the first prize laureate of the Republican young wind and percussion performers’ competition (2004, Almaty), the second prize laureate of the Shabyt International wind and percussion competition (2005, Astana), the second prize laureate of the International wind instruments competition (2005, Novosibirsk), and the first prize laureate of the Batyrkhan Shukenov First Republican woodwind competition (2018, Almaty).

In 2012, he interned at the academy orchestra of the Schleswig Holstein music festival. Since October 2017, he has been a regulator soloist at the State Academic Symphony Orchestra at the Zhambyl Kazakh State Philharmonic. Since November 2019, Olzhas Ashirmatov has been a regulator soloist at the musicAeterna orchestra.

HOW DID YOUR MUSICAL CAREER BEGIN?

I used to be a hyperactive child, and my parents made me go to all sorts of classes so that my energy wouldn’t be wasted. One of those classes was a music studio. Between 10 and 12 years of age, I was learning to play the piano and the recorder; since 13, I began playing the bassoon. I didn’t like the instrument at first but my parents knew how to motivate me. “If you practice hard, you’ll win a competition,” they said. That was a huge incentive for me, and the results came soon enough. Gradually, what started as a “sporting interest” turned into a great love — all due to my teachers, Yuri Lukichev and Nurtas Aigalkaev. Perhaps the most pivotal point was when I managed to become a student of Dag Jensen, who is the world’s best bassoon teacher.

SO YOU ARE A VENTUROUS PERSON?

In my childhood, I always wanted to be the winner at everything. Thing have changed since then along with my views. Nowadays, I value a quiet and steady lifestyle as well as high-quality work. It’s impossible to chase victory all the time. In that race, it’s too easy to forget about the most important parts in life: health and human relationships. I’m trying to find balance and harmony in life now.

ASIDE FROM MUSIC, WHAT ELSE CAN GIVE YOU EMOTIONS JUST AS STRONG?

Love probably can, as romantic as it might sound. Love towards my parents, my homeland, my girlfriend. Dedication to my craft. I got greatly inspired when I returned to my home country, which I’m strongly attached to. On the other hand, the Kazakhs have historically been nomads, so I find joy in travelling. I’m happy that we Eastern people can offer the West a new view of music.

WHAT MAKES MUSICAETERNA SPECIAL?

It accumulates some incredibly powerful energy in itself. Maestro oversees it all with his otherworldly virtuosity and unique artistic vision. Everyone follows him and his ideas. I think there’s much we can tell the music world about.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO PERFORM TOGETHER WITH THE ENSEMBLE?

Absolutely anything. I’m interested in everything there is to play. My all-time favourite composer is Mozart. I’m now going to master the baroque and classical bassoon; as soon as I reach my goal, I’ll be able to play my favourite music on authentic instruments together with a wonderful orchestra.

musicAeterna orchestra events

October 11, 19:00

Moscow | Zaryadye Hall

Hændel. A Dedication Ceremony to George Frideric Handel

Georg Friedrich Handel (1685–1759)

Prelude

Augelletti, ruscelletti, the aria of Maria Kleopova from the oratorio La resurrezione, HWV 47 (1708)

Zadok the Priest, Coronation Anthem No. 1, HWV 258 (1727)

Disserratevi, o porte d’Averno, the aria of Angel from the oratorio La resurrezione, HWV 47 (1708)

Ah! Crudel nel pianto mio, the aria of Armida from the opera Rinaldo, HWV 78 (1711)

Overture to the opera Agrippina, HWV 6 (1709–1710)

As with Rosy Steps the Morn, the aria of Irina from the oratorio Theodora, HWV 68 (1750)

De torrente in via bibet, duet with chorus from the psalm Dixit Dominus, HWV 232 (1707)

Oh, Let the Merry Bells Ring Round, aria with chorus from the oratorio L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55 (1740)

Pena tiranna, the aria of Dardano from the opera Amadigi di Gaula, HWV 11 (1715)

Eternal Source of Light Divine, fragment from the cantata Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, HWV 74 (1713)

Alla Hornpipe, No. 2 from the orchestral suite
The Water Music No. 2 in D Major, HWV 349 (1716–1717)

He Saw the Lovely Youth, chorus from the oratorio Theodora, HWV 68 (1750)

Piangerò la sorte mia, the aria of Cleopatra from the opera Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17 (1724)

Ah! Stigie larve — Vaghe pupille, the recitative and aria of Orlando from the opera Orlando, HWV 31 (1733)

O Love Divine, thou Source of Fame, chorus from the oratorio Theodora, HWV 68 (1750)

Sing Ye to the Lord, chorus with solo soprano from the oratorio Israel in Egypt, HWV 54 (1739)

Performers:

artists of the Anton Rubinstein Academy
Tatiana Bikmukhametova, soprano
Yulia Vakula, mezzo-soprano
Ksenia Dorodova, soprano
Diana Nosyreva, soprano
Iveta Simonyan, soprano
Sofia Tsygankova, soprano
Andrey Nemzer, countertenor, soloist and vocal coach of the Anton Rubinstein Academy
musicAeterna Choir and Orchestra
musicAeterna Dance troupe

Music Director and Conductor Teodor Currentzis
Stage Director Elizaveta Moroz
Choirmaster Vitaly Polonsky
Assistant Conductor Evgeny Vorobyov
Production Designer, Costume Designer Sergey Illarionov
Choreographer Valentina Lutsenko

Buy Ticket

October 15, 20:30

Thessaloniki | Thessaloniki Concert Hall