On February 19, platforms Hunan TV and Mango TV once again showcased performances from participants of Dimash Qudaibergen’s musical reality show, Voice Beyond Horizon.

Immersed in the historical wisdom, vast landscapes, traditional music, and cuisine of Turkestan, the eight contestants found fresh inspiration from their journey through the region and prepared captivating performances for viewers.

The music experts for today’s episode were two-time Grammy Award winner, producer, and composer Walter Afanasyev, alongside renowned Chinese singer and multi-award winner Lei Jia.

At the start of the concert, Dimash Qudaibergen, founder and executive producer of the project, invited Chinese participant Cai Chengyu to the stage to serve as the show’s host.

The concert opened with Kyrgyzstan’s Nur Cholpon performing the song “Kyrgyz Bata,” dedicated to her homeland. At the beginning of her performance, the singer and songwriter delivered a brief improvisation, reflecting the impressions she gathered during her trip through Turkestan.

Chinese singer Zhang Xinyu, moved by meeting a compatriot who had begun a new life in Kazakhstan, chose to perform “New Dingjun Mountain” (Xin Dingjun Shan). The song carried the audience through pages of turbulent history and indomitable spirit. Its blend of rap and traditional Chinese opera allowed viewers to experience the grandeur of well-known historical events in China.

First-round winner Nurzhas Sadirbayev from Kazakhstan shared that he chose the song “Give Me Love” (Mahabbat Ber Magan) because gathering folk stories had filled him with cherished memories. While swinging on traditional swings, this melody kept playing in his mind. Nurzhas performed the second verse in Chinese as a tribute to his Chinese colleagues and audience.

Italy’s Giulia Falcone, explaining her choice of the song Spazio nel Cuore, said, “This song conveys a feeling that can be understood as creating space in the heart. I think it relates to the ancient city we visited with Cai Chengyu, where we felt transported back in time. But we must look to the future to discover new things. That’s why in my song, we open space in the heart to discover new emotions and feelings.”

The Bel Canto prince from China, Cai Chengyu, performed The Dream of an Old Friend at the End of the World (Tianya Guren Meng). Visiting the ancient city of Otrar and touching its millennia-old stone walls reminded him of Shanxi Province in China. He chose the song to convey the awe inspired by Otrar and the enduring charm of civilization preserved in Shanxi’s ancient cities.

During her folkloric and ethnographic journey through Turkestan, Malaysian participant Jeryl Lee heard a special song from someone working in Kazakhstan who missed his girlfriend back in China. The moving melody and lyrics reminded Jeryl of her own mother, whom she deeply misses while apart. She dedicated the song Ma Ma to her.

“I met an incredible person in a sea of sunflowers. I was touched by how he manages his farm under difficult conditions. This deeply inspired me and reminded me that love gives strength to face challenges. This song is not only for those who have left home to follow their dreams and passions but also a tender dedication to the blending of cultures,” shared Serbian participant Princ, who performed Lejla during the concert.

During her Turkestan trip, Chinese participant La Danzhu met a master instrumentalist, whom she invited to perform with her on stage. In her original song Migration (Qianxi), the ancient Kazakh instrument kobyz highlighted the nomadic spirit of the song and demonstrated the potential for musical dialogue between different cultures.

Following the votes from the audience and judges, the top three performers of this stage were Zhang Xinyu, Princ, and Nurzhas Sadirbayev, who again received the highest number of votes.

The next round of the competition will take place in the beautiful western Kazakh city of Aktau, on the shores of the Caspian Sea. See you soon, friends!

Episode 3 Playlist:

• Nur Cholpon – Kyrgyz Bata
• Zhang Xinyu – New Dingjun Mountain (Xin Dingjun Shan)
• Nurzhas Sadirbayev – Give Me Love (Mahabbat Ber Magan)
• Giulia Falcone – Spazio nel Cuore
• Cai Chengyu – The Dream of an Old Friend at the End of the World (Tianya Guren Meng)
• Jeryl Lee – Ma Ma
• Princ – Lejla
• La Danzhu – Migration (Qianxi)