Alfia Nakipbekova (Bekova) was born in Karaganda, Central Kazakhstan and began her cello study with exiled musician, Gulag survivor, R. Mazanov (originally from Rostov-on-Don).
At 15 Alfia went on to continue her education at the Moscow Central Music School, followed by the Moscow Conservatoire, studying under Mstislav Rostropovich. She also received an extensive series of master classes with the Soviet cello legend - Daniel Shafran.
At the age of 15 she was awarded the First Prize at The Central Asian Republics Competition and performed Tchaikovsky Rococo Variation with The Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra. Her awards also include: Diploma at The All - Union Tchaikovsky Competition in Vilnius, Diploma at the Piano Trios Competition in Belgrade and the Special Prize for Outstanding Mastery of The Cello at the Casals Competition in Budapest, 1980.
As a concerto soloist, recitalist and a chamber musician, Alfia performed in numerous towns and cities throughout the former Soviet Republics, as well as appearing at the major venues in Moscow and Leningrad, and was regularly broadcast on the Soviet Radio and Television.
As a soloist and with The Nakipbekova Sisters Trio (The Bekova Trio) Alfia performed with the Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra, Omsk Symphony Orchestra, The Lithuanian Symphony Orchestra, The Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Ankara Symphony Orchestra, Belgrade Symphony Orchestra, Moscow Radio Orchestra, Russian Symphony Orchestra, Residentie Orchestra The Hague, The Peruggia Virtuosi, Philharmonia Orchestra and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and appeared at the major Festivals and concert halls around Europe, USA, Middle East, Canada and Australia.
Alfia has always had a passionate interest in new contemporary music, taking an active part in numerous new musicperformances/collaborations. The most notable works she has premiered are: Concerto for cello and chamber orchestra by Timur Tleukhan (first performance at the Moscow Conservatoire Rachmaninov Hall with Musica Viva), S. Zhukov: Gethsemane Night for electric cello, choir, piano and percussion, Concerto Mystery, Concerto Grosso (first performances at the Moscow Autumn Festivals, recorded for Chandos), Premiere recording of S. Gerber Triple Concerto (Chandos).
Alfia’s extensive discography includes major chamber music repertoire for Piano Trio, Cello Sonatas and Cello/Violin Duos, including critically acclaimed recordings of Brahms, Martinu and Shostakovich, on Chandos label.
(BBC Music Magazine - Martinu album was chosen as a CD of the year, Gramophone – Clarke/Ives album was Critic’s Choice for 2000)
Alfia began a series of "Bach Marathon" solo recitals in 1998 (playing all six Bach Suites in one evening) and since then has performed in various venues and festivals, including London, Oxford, Aldeburgh, Melbourne Festival, Cork Chamber Music Festival, Felcino Bianco Festival, PACT Festival, Brussels and Orkney Islands.
The double album of the Bach Cello Suites (recorded at the 12th century St. Boniface Kirk, Papa Westray, Orkneys) will be released in December 2009 on Alfia Nakipbekova’s own independent label WCM.