Folk Music of the S.S.R. Middle East

Released in 1956, this album focuses on three republics of the former Soviet Union, all now independent countries: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. Extending from Turkey all the way to Tibet and China, these diverse regions nevertheless have a unique character that, according to ethnomusicologist Henry Cowell, "differentiates their music from that of any other part of the world." He describes the music as containing an "incisive fervor and intensity with practically no let down from beginning to end, both in singing and playing." Songs are performed by traditional musicians who have learned their repertoire from older masters—without musical notation. Nevertheless, Cowell offers his own notated analysis in the liner notes to the album, along with translated lyrics and detailed descriptions of featured instruments.

Track Listing

101	Kiurd Shakhnaz and Tesnif	A male singer and duduk, zuma, and gaval ensemble	02:15
102	A Daghlar	A Dagestani mixed choir	02:15
103	Apipa	A kobyz player and accompanying flautist	02:19
104	Tajik Love Song	A male singer and dutarist	02:57
201	Lezginka	A Caucasian duduk, zurna, and nagara ensemble	02:41
202	Amu	A female singer and kamancha, dutar, doira, tambur, and nai ensemble	02:45
203	Azerbaijanian Popular Dance	An Azerbaijani ensemble featuring tars, kamanchas, duduks, zurnas, and nagara	02:22
204	Dombara	Akin	02:01