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 (Azerbaijanian Love Song)	Male singer and ensemble with zurna, gaval, duduk, Azerbaijan	02:15
102	A Daghlar (Daghestan Mountain Song)	Mixed chorus, Dagestan	02:15
103	Apipa (Tatar Folk Dance)	Zemfira Akhmetova, Hamid Bakirov	02:19
104	Tajik Love Song	Male singer accompanying himself on dutar	02:57
201	Lezginka (Daghestan Dance)	Ensemble with duduk, zurna, and nagara	02:41
202	Amu (Tajik Folk Song)	Female singer with folk orchestra, Tajikistan	02:45
203	Azerbaijanian Popular Dance	Folk orchestra, Azerbaijan	02:22
204	Dombara (Kazakh Folk Song)	Akin	02:01