(b. 21 December 1918, Köşi, Ahal Province – d. 11 August 2000, Ashgabat).

Turkmen composer of mostly stage, orchestral, choral, and vocal works that have been performed in Asia and Europe.

Mr. Kuliev studied dutar (2-string lute from Central Asia) and setar (3-string lute from Central Asia) with Purli Sariyev and Mylly Tachmuradov at the State Academy of the Arts in Ashgabat from 1933–35, where he also studied piano with Maria M. Heraskina. He then studied composition with Genrikh Litinsky and Boris Schechter at the P. I. Tchaikovsky State Conservatory in Moscow from 1935–41 and there later studied composition with Yuri Shaporin from 1944–49.

Among his honours were the Medal for Heroic Labour in World War II from the government of Russia (1945), the Medal for Creative Heroism from the government of Russia (1947), the Order of the Breastplate of Honour from the government of Russia (1950), the Magtymguly Pyragy State Prize from the government of Turkmenistan (1968), the Order of the People's Friendship from the government of Russia (1978), and the Medal for Veteran of Labour from the government of Russia (1980). He was named a National Artist of Turkmenistan in 1980.

He taught composition and music theory at the Dangatar Ovezov National College of Music in Ashgabat from 1941–44 and 1950–90. He then taught composition and music theory at the National Conservatory of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat from 1990–2000.

SELECT LIST OF WORKS

STAGE:

Yusup and Ahmet (opera in 4 acts, libretto by A. Kurbanow, A. Minnikh), 1942 (collaboration with Boris Schechter)

Abadan (opera in 4 acts, libretto by Berdi Kerbabaýew), 1943 (collaboration with Yuly Meytus)

The Heart Is Found in the Desert (ballet in 3 acts, scenario by K. Nyýazow), 1974

ORCHESTRAL:

Magnificent Overture, 1939

Holiday Overture, 1944

Turkmenistan (suite), 1944

Magtymguly (symphonic poem), 1948

Overture on Two Turkmen Folksongs, orchestra of folk instruments from Turkmenistan, 1952

The Sunny Land (symphonic poem), large orchestra, 1955

Concerto, violin, large orchestra, 1962

Flourish, Native Turkmenistan, orchestra of folk instruments from Turkmenistan, 1974

The Shine of White Gold: Cotton, orchestra of folk instruments from Turkmenistan, 1976

Happiness (suite), orchestra of folk instruments from Turkmenistan, 1978

Melodies from the Cotton Fields (rhapsody), orchestra of folk instruments from Turkmenistan, 1980

CHAMBER MUSIC:

Poem, violin, piano, 1941

Suite, violin, piano, 1945

CHORAL:

Salam (cantata, texts by various poets from Turkmenistan), mixed chorus, orchestra, 1941

Kurban-Durdy (cantata, text by D. Agamamedow), mixed chorus, orchestra, 1942

Turkmenistan (cantata, text by Kara Seitliev), mixed chorus, orchestra, 1949

Garagum-Derýa (cantata, text by Baba Japarov), mixed chorus, large orchestra, 1969

VOCAL:

Pagta – Cotton (text by Berdi Kerbabaýew), voice, piano, 1935

Tupan – Storm (text by Alexander Pushkin), voice, piano, 1937

Ýazým – My Spring (text by D. Agamamedow), voice, piano, 1944

Gözel sen – Pretty Woman (text by Magtymguly Pyragy), voice, piano, 1948

Vatan – Homeland (text by Baba Japarov), voice, piano, 1970

PIANO:

Sonata, 1946

DIDACTIC MUSIC:

Suite for Children, piano, 1937