Mikhail Maltsev

Mikhail Nikolayevich Maltsev, known by his Sakha craftsman’s name Kylaan Uus, is a Folk Master of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) and an internationally recognised khomus maker from the Vilyuysky District. He was born on 4 April 1963 into a large family in Borogon Nasleg. Maltsev is an honorary citizen of Borogon Nasleg and a recipient of the Sakha Republic’s Excellence in Culture distinction.

After completing his service in the Soviet Army, Maltsev graduated from the Yakutsk Communications Technical School and worked as a technician for many years. He began making khomuses in 2001. His first lessons in the craft came from his elder brother, the renowned maker Kirill Kirillovich Maltsev, after which he continued his training under the Folk Master Revory Gavrilyevich Chemchoev, known as Chömchöö Uus.

Maltsev’s work belongs to the tradition of the Vilyuy school of khomus making. While preserving the recognisable form of the traditional Sakha instrument, he pays close attention to precision, frame strength and artistic finish. In some of his work, the traditional construction is supplemented by decorative metal plates that also reinforce the base of the khomus.

Maltsev’s khomuses are known for their melodic, singing voices, rich overtone content and long sustain. The precise relationship between reed and frame makes them highly responsive to the performer’s breathing and articulation. Many of his instruments are suitable both for unhurried melodic playing and for faster rhythmic techniques using strokes in either direction. As every khomus is made by hand, individual examples may vary in pitch, stiffness and musical character.

At the 2009 international khomus makers’ competition, Maltsev took second place, receiving high expert scores for the musical qualities, traditional character, innovation and craftsmanship of his instruments. His greatest competitive success came in 2011 at the Seventh International Congress and Festival “Khomus in the Cultural Space of the World”. His work received 9.44 points, the highest score in the competition, and was recognised as the best khomus in the world.

Following this victory, Mikhail Maltsev became one of Yakutia’s most authoritative khomus makers and served as a member of the jury at regional competitions. In 2015, he was again recognised at a Sakha Republic khomus makers’ competition, receiving a First-Degree Diploma in the overall classification and a Second-Degree Diploma for musical qualities. Maltsev continues to represent the Vilyuy blacksmithing tradition at exhibitions, competitions and events devoted to preserving the culture of the Sakha khomus.

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