Yesterday, a concert by the Karaganda Academic Symphony Orchestra named after Erkegali Rakhmadiev, conducted by maestro Aidar Torybayev, took place at the "Shalkyma" concert hall. A full house, an atmosphere of anticipation – everything indicated that the evening would be truly special.
The soloist of the evening, laureate of international competitions Bekzat Rakymov (piano, Moscow) @rakymov_b, captivated the audience with his performance of Rachmaninoff’s famous Second Concerto. From the very first notes, he immersed listeners in a world of deep lyricism and passionate drama, conveying the full emotional intensity of this masterpiece. The applause was endless – the audience literally demanded more, and enthusiastic cries of "bravo" followed every emotional peak of the music.
After the intermission, the symphony orchestra presented one of Tchaikovsky’s most brilliant works – the Fifth Symphony. Conductor Aidar Torybayev and the orchestra musicians masterfully created an incredible dramaturgy, from the first anxious themes to the triumphant finale. Each movement resonated deeply with the listeners, and at the climactic moments, the hall was filled with absolute silence – the audience was holding its breath.
At the end of the evening, grateful spectators applauded the soloist and the orchestra for a long time, expressing their admiration for the level of performance and the emotional depth of the program. This concert once again confirmed the high mastery of the Karaganda Symphony Orchestra and its soloists, leaving an unforgettable impression on everyone who attended.
The Karaganda Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1983. Its core members were graduates of the Kurmangazy Almaty State Conservatory. The first artistic director and mentor of the young ensemble was People's Artist of Kazakhstan, Professor Tolepbergen Abdrashev. From its very first steps, the orchestra established itself as an independent and creative ensemble. Over time, the repertoire expanded to include the greatest classical works: J. Haydn, W.A. Mozart, L.V. Beethoven, J. Brahms, F. Mendelssohn, A. Bruckner; Russian composers: M. Glinka, P. Tchaikovsky, S. Rachmaninoff, A. Scriabin, D. Shostakovich, I. Stravinsky, S. Prokofiev; and masterpieces of 20th-century composers. A special focus of the orchestra’s work is the music of Kazakhstani composers: E. Rakhmadiev, T. Kazhgaliev, A. Serkebayev, M. Sagatov, G. Zhubanova.
The orchestra has prepared numerous programs, including subscription series for young audiences and students, concert performances of operas, and composer evenings dedicated to Kazakhstani musicians. The orchestra has performed with renowned artists and conductors from Kazakhstan and Russia, such as Zh. Aubakirova, A. Musakhodzhayeva, G. Murzabekova, M. Bisengaliev, L. Vlasenko, V. Pikaizen, E. Grach, D. Grindenko, M. Fedotov, S. Tarasov, S. Stadler, and conductors F. Mansurov, R. Salavatov, A. Torybayev, K. Akhmetov, and E. Tsirlin. These collaborations have continuously elevated the orchestra’s artistic and professional level.
A notable chapter in the orchestra’s history is its collaboration with Russian conductor competition laureate Petr Alekseevich Gribanov. He served as the orchestra’s chief conductor from 1989 to 1996 and returned in 2006. Under his leadership, the orchestra toured extensively in Moscow (Great Hall of the Conservatory, Tchaikovsky Concert Hall), Saint Petersburg (Great Philharmonic Hall), Kyiv, Lviv, and Almaty. The orchestra also achieved great success in France in 2003 under the direction of B. Rakhimzhanov, performing at UNESCO Hall in Paris; in Spain in 2007 under A. Torybayev; and in Germany in 2009 under A. Torybayev and P. Gribanov, where it performed at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall.
The orchestra has undertaken numerous international tours. Its first foreign performances, organized by Honored Cultural Worker of Kazakhstan D. Kaseinov, took place in France. The ensemble’s outstanding mastery impressed audiences in France, Spain (2009, 2011), Russia, Ukraine, and Germany (2010). During a concert in Spain, violinist A. Musakhodzhayeva, conducted by A. Torybayev, delivered an unforgettable performance alongside the orchestra.
