West Kazakhstan Philharmonic Orchestra
Biography
The West Kazakhstan Philharmonic Orchestra was formed following an initiative by the Regional Governor of western Kazakhstan, Mr. Kusherbayev. His intention was to create the first symphony orchestra in the West Kazakhstan region specifically for the annual Uralsk International Violin Competition. Mr Kurshebayev approached the internationally renowned Kazakh violinist, Marat Bisengaliev, to help form the orchestra and to give his time and expertise in order to establish this group as one of the flagship cultural organisations of the Kazakh Republic.
The orchestra is a string ensemble of 25 professional players who have been hand-picked by Marat Bisengaliev to work together to form a world-class professional chamber orchestra. The players are young performers who are full of vitality which is reflected in their electrifying performances.
As Founder and Artistic Director, Marat Bisengaliev prepared the orchestra for its first performance in May 2003. Following several concerts in the region, the WKPO made its first tour outside Kazakhstan to England with critically acclaimed concerts in London, Leeds and Cheltenham. The orchestra has recently toured to Italy, Poland and India.
The WKPO gave the opening event of the Eurasia Media Forum in Almaty in April 2004, conducted by their principal guest conductor, John Anderson. This concert was broadcast on Kazakh State Television, and included works by the critically acclaimed and highly regarded Welsh composer, Karl Jenkins. Tours have taken them to Japan, UK, Italy, India, Poland, Ukraine and Russia.
Starting from August 2006, the WKPO will be based in Mumbai for four months a year as part of the NCPA Symphony Orchestra Mumbai (orchestra for which Marat Bisengaliev is the General Music Director) and also participating in educational projects, helping young Indian musicians. In 2006-2007 the orchestra has been invited to Japan, UK, India and Germany.
The orchestra has also an extensive recording schedule. The "Requiem" by Karl Jenkins which was recorded on EMI label went to "Number 1" on Classic Sales Chart and "Hall of Fame " on Classic FM Magazine. The latest recording on Sony BMG also by Karl Jenkins "Tlep" (Music on Kazakh Themes) will be released in April this year at a concert Live Premiere in Royal Albert Hall.
The orchestra has also recorded music by Schnittke on Quartz and Myslevecek, Croft on Toccata Classic.
The other recording projects to be released soon on Sony BMG are "Venezia" (Compilation of popular tunes), "The Diamond Music", "The Best of Karl Jenkins" and "The Virtuoso Violin" virtuoso violin repertoire featuring Marat Bisengaliev.
