Storm, Ballads, and a Weeping Violin: How the Melodiya Orchestra Lit Up the Stage of the Watan Cinema and Concert Hall
Ashgabat's musical life is in full swing: new, ambitious bands are emerging in the capital, capable of captivating discerning listeners from the very first chords. One of the centers of this attraction was once again the Watan Cinema and Concert Hall, where the young but already popular Melodiya orchestra presented its program "Legends of All Times" to a sold-out crowd.
The evening turned into a heartfelt musical celebration, combining complex instrumental arrangements with a fiery pop band. The hall quickly became immersed in a warm, intimate atmosphere: the audience happily sang along with the artists, and burst into applause after each performance.
Having debuted in early 2026 under the direction of international competition-winning and charismatic conductor Annaoraz Dovletov and his assistant, Selbi Yagshieva, the orchestra has already developed a recognizable signature. Melodiya's main strengths are bold experimentation and genre freedom. The maestro effortlessly combines academic rigor, subtle national flavor, and nostalgic pop hits in a single program.
The new program demonstrated the team's creative maturity. Each piece received an original reimagining, and the instrumental section was a true gift for music lovers. The evening opened with "Storm," a celebrated rousing composition by Greek composer Yanni Chrysomallis based on Vivaldi's "Summer." The orchestra successfully captured the stormy energy of the original, combining the classical expressiveness of the violin with a powerful modern rhythm.
An equally powerful emotional response was evoked by the purely instrumental version of the legendary "The Show Must Go On," arranged by Celine Dion. Annaoraz Dovletov himself performed the solo. The instruments, stripped of vocals but filled with drama, conveyed all the grandeur of this rock classic, both mournful and solemn.
A lyrical mood was created by Gary Moore's French sketch "Parisian Streets" and Vladimir Kosma's tender ballad "Reality" from the cult film "Boom." At these moments, a small miracle occurred in the hall: as soon as the musicians struck the first chords, hundreds of flashlights on their phones simultaneously lit up the audience. Swaying gently in the darkness, they transformed the stalls into a starry sky. The profound ballad "Maybe I, Maybe You" by the Scorpions (composed by Anlaf Cortot) was also immersed in a similar shimmering sea of light, acquiring symphonic grandeur in the orchestra's performance.
Melodiya is particularly proud of its careful yet innovative approach to Turkmen heritage. That evening, the famous piece "Duran Yerleri" was performed on stage, leaving the audience breathless. But the main revelation of the national section was Aina Shirova's composition "Love." Annaoraz Dovletov prepared an exclusive pop-orchestral version. Soloist Seyran Ataniyazov's violin sang so heartfeltly that many in the dimly lit hall were moved to tears.
The instrumental drama was harmoniously followed by explosive vocal performances. The pop portion of the concert transformed into a nostalgic journey through the golden hits of various years. The audience warmly welcomed the romantic song "I Am You" in memory of Murat Nasyrov, and then literally exploded with energy to the rhythms of the 90s and 2000s. The audience enthusiastically sang along to the hits "Dance While You're Young," "Girls Like Stars," and the heartwarming fairytale "Little Country." The oriental song "Ay, Jennet" and the fiery disco hit "Zubi-Zubi" from the Indian film "Disco Dancer" added a special flavor to the evening, bringing a smile to everyone in attendance.
The best voices and musicians of the capital shone on stage that evening: young Mustafa Yagshiev, maestro Annaoraz Dovletov, virtuoso Seyran Ataniyazov and other artists, each of whom was greeted with cries of "Encore!" from the audience.
For devoted fans, this concert marked a significant milestone in the orchestra's development. From its very first performances, the ensemble established itself as a bold experimenter. Ashgabat residents also vividly remember their third performance this spring, where soloists such as Emir Bayramgeldyev and Dovlan Shammyev stormed the pop scene, instantly capturing the hearts of young people. Back then, Bakhar Durdyeva and Baky Annamuradov also shone in their programs.Today, Melodiya is a mature entity. Each of their numbers has evolved into a well-thought-out mini-performance with its own dramaturgy.
Leaving the hall, the Ashgabat audience took with them not only a wonderful boost of energy but also pride in the national performing school. Melodiya once again proved that live sound and sincerity are a universal language that unerringly finds its way to the heart of any listener.
Ayna Yolbarsova
