Yulchiyeva, Munadjat

(b Andizhan, Fergana Basin, 26 Nov 1960). Uzbek singer. From 1978 to 1985 she studied Uzbek classical music at the Tashkent State Conservatory with shavkat Mirzaev, who became her spiritual teacher as well as her musical instructor. From 1980 to 1982 she performed with the makom ensemble at Uzbek State Radio, and in 1982 she began to work with the Uzbek State Philharmonia. She has appeared widely in concerts and festivals, but unlike many other Uzbek professional singers, she has chosen not to perform at weddings. During the last decade of the 20th century she toured the USA, Europe, Asia and Latin America. She was awarded the titles of Honoured Artist of Uzbekistan (1991) and People’s Artist of Uzbekistan (1994), and gained first prize and the accolade ‘Golden Nightingale’ in the Samarkand International Festival in 1997.

Her repertory includes Uzbek classical music and the music of the bastoqor composers, who create music in the traditional Uzbek style. Her mezzo-soprano voice has a range of two and a half octaves, and she has often performed songs from the traditional male repertory as well as the female. She has specialized in Uzbek Sufi music, performing settings of the poetry of Alisher Navai (15th century), Fisuli (16th century), Mashrab (16th century) and Huvaido (18th century).

RECORDINGS

RAZIA SULTANOVA