| The tribes who inhabit the vast area of the Kazakh steppes abandoned much of their traditional way of life during the twentieth century. Modernisation and Soviet collectivisation helped to dim the memory of a centuries old culture but nevertheless an instrumental tradition has survived.The origin of the dombra, a long necked two string lute, can be traced back to ancient legend. Under the Soviet regime large orchestras of the instrument were formed, but this remained an urban phenomenon and it is the solo dombra which is heard here. The short melodies, called Kuys, are an echo of daily life and a gateway to the world of spirits. |
