The creation of Xian Xinghai's "3 Kazakh Dances" is closely connected with the history of the
formation of the Kustanai Philharmonic, with its most difficult and challenging period - the year
of its formation. Events unfolded rapidly, from the moment when Kustanai (now Kostanay)
received a delegation of artists from Alma-Ata (January 22, 1944), including Xian Xinghai, with
the mission of forming the first composition of the collective. There were just over 1.5 months left
until the grand opening of the Zhambyl Philharmonic branch in Kustanai (March 19). During this
time, it was necessary to create a repertoire "from scratch". Xian Xinghai made an invaluable
contribution to the execution of such a complex task as a performer (violinist), arranger of Kazakh
songs and composer. It was then that at the first concert of the new group, the "Kazakh Dance
No. 1" written for piano was performed for the first time, accompanying the dance of the
ballerinas R. Davletkeldiyeva and Z. Seidalina. The author performed the violin part he had
composed. By the summer of that year, Xian Xinghai had written two more dances.
Later, the composer combined al l three numbers into one cycle under opus 23. Xian Xinghai
was keenly interested in Kazakh melodies from the first days of his stay in Kazakhstan. The
composer created his works on Kazakh themes as a tribute to the country, its people, with whom
he linked his fate. In "3 Kazakh Dances" the influence of violin technique is visible, which creates
the prerequisites for an ensemble version. Kazakh composer Bakir Bayakhunov turned to this
version - music for a string quartet. The first part o f the cycle is close to the concerto grosso style.
The second part is the sphere of song lyrics. In the third part, with its ballet plasticity, the concert
of the quartet’s instruments takes center stage.The version retains the thematic basis and character
of the original images.
This is not the first time Bakir Bayakhunov has turned to the Kazakh heritage of the Chinese
composer. He also edited and orchestrated Xian Xinghai's symphonic poem "Amangeldy", which
was completed in 1998. The second version was created in 2018. On December 11, 2024, it was
performed in Guangzhou - the composer's homeland.

Honored Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan, professor
Baldyrgan Baikadamova