Danatar Ovezov

Dangatar Ovezov (; ; 1 January 1911 – 5 May 1966), also known as Danatar Ovezov (; ), was a Turkmen composer.

Biography

Childhood and early career Ovezov was born on 1 January 1911 in Mülkýusup village, Mary province. Following the death of his father, despite showing early promise as a musician, he spent his early years herding livestock for a local landowner. In 1923 he and two sisters were moved to the orphanage in Mary, where he began formal studies.

Musical education and performance In 1935 Ovezov wrote his first major composition, a three-part suite, "My Impressions" for wind ensemble. Between 1938 and 1940 he played in the orchestra of the Azerbaijani theater in Ashgabat, where he became acquainted with the works not only of Azerbaijani but also Russian and western European classical composers. At this point Ovezov began to dream of composing an opera, but recognized his lack of professional training. Staging of this opera drew a who's who of Turkmen theater; it was directed by Alty Garliyev, and the singers included People's Artists of Turkmenistan Maya Kuliyeva, Annagul Annaguliyeva, Sona Myradova, Hojav Annadurdyev, and Yolaman Hummayev.

Other activities Ovezov was a co-founder of the Union of Composers of Turkmenistan, and chaired its board of directors from 1940 to 1948. He remained a member of the board until his death on 5 May 1966.

Legacy On 8 June 1966 the Turkmen State School of Music, the country's oldest music school, was named after him.

Awards Order of the Badge of Honour (1950) Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1955) People's Artist of the Turkmen SSR (1961) Magtymguly State Prize of Turkmen SSR (1966)