Batyrzhan Tankeev: "Playing the organ, you feel like you are part of a grandiose choir"
A student of KazNUI College Batyrzhan Tankeev became the winner of the VI International Organist competition "Young Organist", which took place in Moscow at the music School at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory. The grandiose instrument, considered the “king of music", has become subject to the young talents of Kazakhstan. Batyrzhan took the honorable third place and became one of the strongest organists in his age group.
His victory in the competition is a special event not only for the college, but also for the entire musical community of the country. The news is also unique in that Batyrzhan has been playing the organ for only 2.5 years, unlike other contestants who have devoted more than 12 years to this particular instrument.
«During the competition, first of all, I noted for myself the preparation of my competitors, because the level was, of course, incredible! There were doubts whether I would be able to qualify for the second or third round, but I intended to win. When I came on stage, I had one thought - I came to Moscow, I must show everything I am capable of and give my best", - Batyrzhan Tankeev shared his impressions .
The 19-year-old musician is studying Piano at college on a grant. The organ was chosen as the second mandatory instrument. His love for music was born in him thanks to his parents, who brought him to the children's music school in Kostanay. There he met his first teacher, the head of the Piano department Varyukhina Vera Alekseevna. She prepared Batyrzhan for admission to a music college.
«I originally wanted to become a musician. There are a lot of performers who can play both the cello and the piano, and they play virtuosically. I think it's worthy to reach for this goal. That is, to be able to do something more, to expand your boundaries. If a person wants to do something, if he sincerely desires it, there will be no special difficulties for him, the impossible...", - explained Batyrzhan Tankeev.
The musician admits that he liked the organ since childhood. His favorite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach, a master whose work is associated with the solemn and powerful sounds of the organ. Batyrzhan is glad that he can study the works of Bach and other authors in college.
«You know, around the age of six, I first heard “Beethoven's Ode to Joy. I remember Dad turning it on on the big speakers, which made a strong contrast felt. The calm beginning, and then the volume, the polyphony, the grandiose sound - all this has remained forever in my memory. The organ also gives these sensations. When I'm with Him, I feel like I'm not alone. Of course, this can be said about any other musical instrument, but here I feel that I am part of something bigger. The organ is a polyphonic instrument. Playing it, you feel like you are part of some kind of grandiose choir or orchestra," Batyrzhan Tankeev shared his feelings.
The first large-scale musical competition in Batyrzhan's career took place in 2022. He became the winner of the first degree of the republican competition of young pianists “Astana Piano Passion". Then he gained a unique experience - for the first time he played a concert with an orchestra. The next challenge was the Johann Trummer International Organist Competition in St. Petersburg in 2023.
«I was awarded the first place in this competition. This was my first organ competition, where I had to play not in my homeland, but to represent the honor of my country, my educational institution, the honor of the school and my teacher on another prestigious stage. This is always very important. When we participate in international competitions, we also represent the face of our teacher as musicians.»
Batyrzhan Tankeev is studying organ playing with Abilkhanova Saltanat Ayabekovna - associate professor of the Piano and Organ Department of KazNUI. Saltanat is the first Kazakhstani organist to receive a fundamental European education in Germany. She completed an assistant internship at the Higher School of Music and Theater named after F.Mendelssohn-Bartholdi in Leipzig, took part in master classes by such outstanding organists as Martin Sander, Wolfgang Ceres, Michael Radulescu and Wolfgang Rubzam. And this year, Saltanat Abilkhanova, presented her student for the first time at the international competition “Young Organist".
«This is the sixth "Young Organist“ competition, a very serious level. The founder and artistic director of the competition is Galina Vasilyevna Semenova. She continues the traditions of Leonid Isaakovich Roizman's performance. She has been practicing teaching for more than 50 years. I call it the "organ workshop" for the production of talented organists. When I was studying in Leipzig, I heard her students for the first time. And then it struck me how great they were playing. In 2022, we met by chance at master classes, and met there for the first time. She invited me to work as a member of the jury of the competition "Young Organist", - said Saltanat Abilkhanova.
The jury of the competition is representative: Ruben Abdullin, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, Head of the Organ and Harpsichord Department of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State University, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, Head of the Organ and Harpsichord Department of the Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory Daniel Zaretsky, chief curator of the organ of the Zaryadye Concert Hall" Lada Labzina and other leading organists.
«The jury brought together people who have been leading organists in Russia for 20 years. And it was very nice that Batyrzhan was able to perform well. He has only been studying the second compulsory instrument in college for 2.5 years and is such a success. I think it's a lot of work and endurance. Of course, this is a special victory for us. We have had other organ competitions, but this is the first one, international, and of such a scale...! He coped well with the tasks set. I think we have a future who will continue organ business in the country", - concluded Saltanat Abilkhanova.
The competition consisted of three rounds. The final was held in the Prokofiev Hall of the Russian National Museum of Music in Moscow. Batyrzhan Tankeev performed works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Louis Vierne on the third round. It was also difficult to get used to a tool from another company, which was noticeably different from the one installed in Astana.
«Such contests are difficult and require endurance, because three rounds, you need to be able to withstand. There's always tension when you go from tour to tour. I went from the first round to the second - hopes, from the second to the third - expectation again. Even the third round, when you play, you don't always manage to exhale. A special atmosphere covers everyone. I would compare the preparation for the competition with the preparation of Olympic athletes who have been training for years. This is a daily, time-consuming job, the main thing now is not to stop", - noted Batyrzhan Tankeev.
