Spring arrives in Ashgabat without warning, covering the streets with tender greenery and soft spring rains. On the eve of International Women’s Day, the city belongs to knights carrying bouquets and elegant ladies dressed in their finest outfits. March 8 is a special day. On this occasion, strict Eastern etiquette relaxes a little: reserved and serious men are officially “allowed” to become sentimental, while women graciously accept endless compliments.

In this renewed atmosphere, Project 08.03, presented by the Melodiya Orchestra, became a kind of musical “matrix” of tenderness, where every sound seemed programmed with sincerity.

The festive program titled “There Is Light In Her Voice” was held at the Vatan Cinema and Concert Hall in the capital. Long before the concert began, the hall was already full, and more guests kept arriving. The organizers even had to add extra chairs between the rows.

Notably, the entire first row was reserved for representatives of the Turkmenistan Society of People with Disabilities, a retirement home, and the association of visually impaired citizens. They had received special invitations from the Melodiya Orchestra administrator Selbi Yagshieva.

The evening began. The concert was hosted by the wonderful Yekaterina Darchia and featured a performance alongside the orchestra conductor and international competition winner, Annaoraz Dowletov. They performed in both Turkmen and Russian, greeting the audience on the occasion of the celebration and wishing them pleasant emotions. Gratitude was also expressed to the President of Turkmenistan, who pays great attention to the development of the country’s musical art.

The first performance of the concert was a song from the film “Şasenem and Garyp”, performed by Emir Bayramgeldiyev. This performance transported the audience into the warm atmosphere of old Soviet cinema. With youthful heroism and exquisite charm, Emir’s performance was a true gift for the fans of classic songs.

Next, the young singer Mustafa Yagshyev took the microphone. Together with the Älemgoşar children’s choir (led by Lola Seyitniyazova and Gulalek Bayrammyradova), he performed Vadim Kanishev’s song “Eziz ejem” (“Dear Mother”). Although it was clear that the little singer was nervous, he performed on stage like a true professional.

The boy soloist’s nervousness was visible, yet on stage he carried himself like an experienced performer. This created a remarkable blend of childhood innocence and the dedication typical of adults. He put all his energy into delivering the song as beautifully as possible.

After finishing his performance, Mustafa ran not to the edge of the stage but to where the orchestra was seated — to his mother, who was playing the violin. She put down her violin and embraced her son. In that moment, the most important thing in the hall was the reunion between the little child and his mother. The audience, moved by the scene, applauded the young singer even more enthusiastically.

The evening continued with the autumn musical piece “A Walk in the Rain” by the renowned Turkmen composer Ayna Shirova. Performed for many years, this work has won the love of the Ashgabat audience and is recognizable from its very first notes. The musicians played with passion: the violinists’ bows seemed to move as if dancing to the joyful rhythm, while the pianist’s fingers struck notes reminiscent of the patter of rain, almost like Morse code.

Listening to this music evokes childhood memories: running and splashing through the wet mud of March, chasing a paper boat drifting in the puddles, catching raindrops with your mouth, and feeling, for a moment, like the most carefree and happiest person on earth.

The singer Dowran Shammyev performed Leonid Agutin’s hit song “I Will Always Be with You” with such heartfelt emotion that the hall immediately erupted. Even the high notes, audible only to the most devoted female fans, could be heard. The audience’s admiration for the singer was expressed not only through applause but also through a genuine “female ultrasound of joy.”

The piece composed by Wladimir Kosman for the French romantic film La Boum perfectly matched the lyrical mood of the evening. For the many French guests present that night, it was a small gift from the Melodiya orchestra. They happily followed the familiar melody, joining in the singing and swaying along together.

Emir Bayramgeldiyev returned to the stage once more. That evening, the artist was truly pursued by technical difficulties: the microphone refused to work each time he appeared. Nevertheless, after a brief but determined “duel” with the equipment, he regained full control and presented his own version of Filipp Kirkorov’s famous song “Snow” to the audience.

The real discovery of the evening, however, was Ogulgerek Bayramgeldiyeva. We all know her as a talented violinist, but at this concert she appeared in a completely new role — as a vocalist. She sincerely performed the song “Eje” (“Mother”) from the repertoire of Zarina Tilidze. After finishing her performance, Ogulgerek addressed touching words from the stage: “Mom, I am so proud and happy to be your daughter,” she said, sending kisses through the air to her mother in the audience.

The charming and charismatic Bahar Durdyyeva literally and figuratively set the hall alight with the famous song “If Love Lives in Your Heart” from the repertoire of Yulia Savicheva. The audience spontaneously organized a flash mob: people were dancing in the rows while the magical glow of hundreds of phone screens merged together, resembling a swarm of fairy-tale fireflies.

The concert continued with performances by the Älemgoşar choir, this time together with two soloists — Mustafa Yagshiyev and Shirin Jumayeva. Their heartfelt performance of a song about mothers’ caring hands touched the most delicate strings of the listeners’ hearts. Women in the audience did not hide their tears — in those drops were united maternal love, tenderness, and the warmth of the most precious memories.

As the final chord of the performance, words of love were heard from the youngest members of the choir. The children took turns approaching the microphones, stretching up as high as they could in a funny attempt to reach them. This contrast between the serious stage setting and the children’s sincere efforts added a special warmth and charm to the evening.

While the children were expressing their words of love to their mothers, the orchestra conductor Annaoraz Dowletov went to the back of the stage and returned shortly with bouquets of flowers. The audience watched as Annaoraz handed the flowers to representatives of the disabled community, a retirement home, and organizations supporting the visually impaired. Yet, the most important bouquet of the evening, of course, was dedicated to his own mother. She embraced Annaoraz and carefully adjusted his concert attire. At that moment, one thing became clear: no applause from the audience could ever replace a mother’s loving care. For her, he was not just the orchestra conductor, but her beloved son.

The orchestra’s cellist, and the soul behind him, Annaoraz Dowletov, continued the concert program. Before touching the strings, he turned his chair toward the audience, establishing a direct connection with them, and gestured lightly with the guitar. Everyone understood immediately: something special was about to begin.

He had chosen the composition “A Thousand Years” from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 for his solo. This piece was originally written for the wedding scene of the film’s main characters, Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. Filled with love and romance, his performance that evening resonated perfectly.

Annaoraz closed his eyes, listening attentively to the rich harmonies of this famous piece, and played with deep emotion and heartfelt sincerity. Even though it was an instrumental performance on the cello, the audience sang along with the main lines with delight: “I have loved you for a thousand years, and I will love you for a thousand more.”

The most important moment of the concert came with the performance of Ayna Shirova’s “Love” by international competition winners — violinist Seiran Atanyyazov and pianist Jennet Hudaygulyyeva.

This piece, inspired by the tragic and unrequited love of the poet Magtymguly Pyragy for Mengli, was being performed on the capital’s stage for the first time. Its premiere had taken place several years earlier at the Rachmaninov Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.

This particular performance created a lasting impression on the audience, while at the same time being complex and deeply meaningful. Here, the violin did not just “sing” a song — it seemed to weep, telling its own story, with the final notes gradually drifting beneath the concert hall’s domed ceiling. The composer Aýna Şirowa came on stage to congratulate the performers, presenting them with bouquets amid strong applause and shouts of “Bravo!”

Ogulgerek Soltanmyradowa appeared on stage once again. She performed “Beloved Eyes”, a song composed by Andrey Babayev with lyrics by Gara Seytliyev, taken from the film “The Cunning of Old Ashir”. Her rendition, accented with Eastern motifs and richly decorated vocal nuances, captured the audience’s imagination. Listeners felt as if they were immersed in the atmosphere of the famous film, marveling at how skillfully the Eastern musical tones were woven together.

The program continued with the song “Mother’s Eyes” by Yevgeny Martynov, performed by Dowran Shammyev. From the very beginning, it was clear that this was more than a performance; it was a heartfelt message to the most beloved person. The artist dedicated the song to the memory of his mother, who was no longer with him, sending kisses toward the sky with tears in his eyes. This gesture spoke volumes without a single word.

Bahar Durdyeva’s performance of “I will stay” by the band Gorod 312 was filled with delicate emotions. As a true artist, Bahar did not simply imitate the original but enriched the song with her own interpretation, delivering a highly expressive and creative performance.

The next performance was Emir Bayramgeldiyev’s rendition of “Beautiful” from Valeriy Meladzen’s repertoire. Despite some technical issues with the microphone, which caused gentle interruptions in the hall, Emir fulfilled his task brilliantly. His voice closely resembled the original performer, and the performance passed amidst general joy and excitement.

The final song of the concert, “Salute, Vera”, brought all the performers on stage together. The audience was reluctant to say goodbye to the beloved musicians and singers. Everyone wanted to take photos and present flowers to the artists. Although the concert could have concluded at this high point, the host announced that the younger sisters and nieces of the girls performing in the orchestra had come to congratulate them. Children appeared on stage with flowers and presented them to the performers. This unexpected gift became a beautiful conclusion, creating an aesthetic harmony that reflected the joy of spring.

Because music is the “software of the soul,” and it must be refreshed from time to time…

Anay Yolbarsov