Abstract
This article is about studying the saxophone works of Kazakh composers Arthur Orenburgsky, Alibi Abdinurov and Yulia Lebedeva, based on Kazakh folk music. These compositions have become an important part of the performing and pedagogical practice of saxophonists in Kazakhstan, and they are regularly performed at major concert venues, festivals and competitions. The purpose of the work is to study the process of creating compositions, their role in the formation of the national repertoire and the development of performing practice, as well as to identify the characteristic features in style and performance technique.The authors use various methods in their research: complex approach, including analytical and historical that includes collection and exploration of archival material, as well as anthropological method like interviews with Kazakh composers and teachers of saxophone class of the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory.The study revealed the main musical characteristics of saxophone compositions corresponding to Kazakh traditional music: metrical freedom, improvisation, uniqueness of rhythm, shaping and timbre. The studied works represent the authors’ reinterpretation of traditional primary sources, through imitation of rhythmic elements of dombra playing and sound production characteristic of folk wind instruments. These elements define the national color in music and can be considered as “ethnic identity”.From a practical point of view, this work will be useful for musicians, teachers and researchers interested in the synthesis of folk and contemporary music, unique stylistic features and new possibilities of using the saxophone in Kazakh musical culture.