Alibek
Kabdurakhmanov

Alibek Kabdurakhmanov is a laureate of numerous international music competitions and festivals, a recipient of the state medal “Shukhrat,” state awards “Tasanno” and “Ehtirom,” and a multiple participant in state and international projects, among others. 

Alibek Asatullaevich Kabdurakhmanov was born in 1984 in Tashkent. He received his first musical education at the Republican Specialized Music School for Gifted Children named after General Petrov, in the percussion instruments class (1995–2000). From 2001 to 2008, he graduated with honors from both the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, also specializing in percussion instruments. 

He actively participated in numerous international festivals and competitions, becoming a laureate of prestigious awards, including: Grand Prix of the “Shabyt” competition (2007, Kazakhstan, Astana); “EMCY Art for Music Prize” competition – 2nd prize and a special prize “for best performance with orchestra” (Germany, Münster, 2006); Ethno-Jazz Festival Grand Prix (Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, 2012). He was three times awarded the State Prize “Tasanno” (2004, 2006, 2007) and was a regular participant of the “Sharq Taronalari” festival. 

In 2005, Alibek began working as an orchestra artist at the music theatre-studio of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan. Since 2007, he became concertmaster of the percussion section of the Uzbekistan National Symphony Orchestra. 

His student years were marked by a strong desire for new musical ideas and the search for original sound concepts. In 2009, together with a group of students, he founded the ensemble “Axes Percussion Group,” which impressed audiences with its unconventional performances. At the same time, the “Rhythm Palette” project was created for working with children based on the music education methods of German composer and pedagogue Carl Orff. 

During the same period, Alibek became a member of the ensemble “Omnibus,” whose activity was closely connected with the Ilkhom Theatre. Thus, he also performed as an actor in several stage productions. 

While studying at the conservatory, one of Alibek’s favorite subjects was “conducting,” taught by Professor Z. Khaknazarov. Therefore, when there was a shortage of conductors in the orchestra, in 2014 he tried himself as a conductor and realized that this was his vocation. As a result, he decided to pursue a second higher education and in 2019 graduated with a Master’s degree in “Opera-Symphonic Conducting” in the class of Professor V.B. Neymer at the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan. 

Afterwards, he was appointed Chief Conductor of the Uzbekistan National Symphony Orchestra, a position he continues to hold to this day. 

Over the years of working with the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, A. Kabdurakhmanov has carried out extensive professional work, which is confirmed by the high artistic level of the ensemble. Evidence of this includes a large number of concerts with outstanding international musicians. Among the many national and international soloists he has collaborated with are Anna Netrebko, Alessandro Safina, David D’Or, Zhenisbek Piyazov, Firuza Khaltarova, Behzod Abduraimov, Ludovico Troncanetti, and many others.

Today, the Uzbekistan National Symphony Orchestra is one of the most renowned orchestras in the country and beyond, thanks to numerous tours across cities, regions, and countries. Among recent international tours conducted by Kabdurakhmanov, a notable one is the summer 2022 visit to Malta for a music festival organized by the European Foundation for Cultural Support, where he performed alongside distinguished contemporary musicians such as F. Camilleri (flute), D. Alonia (violin), and F. Colli (piano). 

In February 2023, the Uzbekistan National Symphony Orchestra performed at the InClassica International Music Festival in Dubai (UAE), presenting a large concert program over four consecutive evenings with different soloists and conductors. One of the concerts was dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Aram Khachaturian, featuring Kazakh violinist Aiman Mussakhajayeva with the orchestra. 

In the same year, Alibek and the orchestra performed in Paris (as part of a UNESCO project), conducted the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with soloist Kirill Richter (piano), and the Bursa Symphony Orchestra (Turkey). Among recent concerts, he has collaborated with renowned soloists such as Denis Matsuev (piano, Russia), Maxim Vengerov (violin), Sergei Roldugin (cello), Pavel Milukov (violin), Ludovico Troncanetti (piano, Italy), Valentina Boi (soprano, Italy), I.M. Burgos (violin, Spain), D. Casares (guitar, Spain), Zi Zi (piano, China), Yukio Yokoyama (piano, Japan), Nikita Mndoyants (piano, Russia), J. Steckel (cello), M.S. Pietrodarchi (bandoneon, Italy), J. Najocki (violin, Poland), G. Schwabe (cello, Germany), M. Vengerov (violin), and others. 

Education: 

• Born in 1984 in Tashkent. 
• 2002–2006 – State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, Bachelor’s degree in Percussion Instruments. 
• 2006–2008 – State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, Master’s degree in Percussion Instruments. 2017–2019 – State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, Master’s degree in Opera-Symphonic Conducting. 
• Since 2005 – Artist of the orchestra of the music theatre-studio at the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan. 
• Since 2007 – Concertmaster of the percussion section of the Uzbekistan National Symphony Orchestra. 
• Since 2009 – Assistant conductor of the contemporary music ensemble “Omnibus.” Since 2014 – Conductor of the Uzbekistan National Symphony Orchestra. Since 2018 – Chief Conductor of the Uzbekistan National Symphony Orchestra. Since 2025 – Director of the State Academic Grand Theatre of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi. 

Participation in projects: 

• 45th International Summer Course for New Music in Darmstadt (Germany, 2010). Annual Prince Claus Fund Awards Ceremony, Amsterdam (Netherlands, 2009). Concert tours in China (2009). 
• Omnibus Laboratorium I–VI (Uzbekistan, 2005–2010).
• Black Box I–VI (Uzbekistan, 2006–2010). 
• “Stars of Tomorrow” concert with the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Germany in Munich (Germany, 2007). 
• Opening of an exhibition at UNESCO Headquarters (Paris, 2023). 
• Concert of the Uzbekistan National Symphony Orchestra with Kirill Richter at the Berlin Philharmonic Great Hall, dedicated to the opening of the exhibition “Archaeological Treasures of Uzbekistan” (Germany, 2023). 
• Joint performance of the Uzbekistan National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Alibek Kabdurakhmanov and the Richter Trio at the Coliseum Theatre, London (UK, 2024). Performance of Kirill Richter’s orchestral fantasy “The Sands of Time” with soloists (London, UK, 2024). 
• “Mozart Nights” concerts with the Uzbekistan National Symphony Orchestra at the Marrucino Theatre as part of an International Music Festival (Chieti, Italy, 2025). 
• Staging of Georg Friedrich Händel’s opera “Tamerlano” in a modern interpretation by Kirill Richter at Dubai Opera (UAE, 2026). 
• Concert performance of Händel’s “Tamerlano” at Musikverein Hall, Vienna (Austria, 2026).

Participation in international festivals: 

• “Turbulence” International Festival of Contemporary Music (Germany, 2018). 33rd International Festival “Moscow Autumn.” 
• World Youth Orchestra sessions (Spain, 2007, 2009). 
• “Musical Summer Evenings” Festival in Kyiv (Ukraine, 2006). 
• “Euro-Orchestra” Festival in Ponce (France, 2006). 
• “Drums of the World” Festival in Tolyatti (Russia, 2005, 2006). 
• Easter Festival in Moscow (Russia, 2005). 
• “Moscow Meets Friends” Festival (Russia, 2005). 
• “Ilkhom-XX” International Festival (Uzbekistan, 2001–2005). 

Awards: 

• Laureate of the State Prize “Tasanno” in the field of culture (Uzbekistan, 2005, 2007). Grand Prix of the International “Shabyt” Competition (Astana, Kazakhstan, 2007). Special Prize for “Best Performance with Orchestra” at the EMCY Art for Music Prize (Germany, 2006). 
• Second Prize at the EMCY Art for Music Prize (Munich, Germany, 2006). Grand Prix of the International “Shabyt” Competition (Astana, Kazakhstan, 2004). Diploma winner of the 2nd International Mykola Stasynevich Competition (Warsaw, Poland, 2004). 

Conducting experience: 

• Uzbekistan National Symphony Orchestra 
• State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Almaty (Kazakhstan) 
• Orchestra of the Music Theatre-Studio at the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan Contemporary Music Ensemble “Omnibus” 
• Kurmanghazy Orchestra (Kazakhstan)
• Uzbekistan Youth Symphony Orchestra Bursa Symphony Orchestra (Turkey)