Azerbaijani classical music

Music of Azerbaijan
General topics
Azerbaijani dances Azerbaijani musical instruments Sari Gelin Tar Azerbaijani ballet
Genres
Classical Folk Hip hop Jazz Opera Pop Rock
Specific forms
Traditional music	Ashiq music Meykhana Mugham
Subgenres	Jazz mugham
Media and performance
Music festivals	Gabala International Music Festival Baku Jazz Festival International Mugham Festival Hajibeyov Music Festival
Music media	Medeniyyet TV
Nationalistic and patriotic songs
National anthem	March of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani classical music (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan klassik musiqisi) includes a range of musical styles rooted in the traditions of Western or European classical music that European settlers brought to the country from the 20th century and onwards.^[1]

History

Azerbaijan Democratic Republic era

The professional classical music in Azerbaijan is associated with name of composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov.^[2]

Soviet era

In 1920, Azerbaijani classical music had undergone a renaissance and Baku Academy of Music was founded to give classical musicians the same support as folk musicians. After World War II, Fikret Amirov introduced a new genre called symphonic mugam. Amirov's symphonic mugams were based on classical folk pieces and were performed by many renowned symphony orchestras throughout the world, such as the Houston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski.^[3]

Post-Soviet era

In the present era, classical music in Azerbaijan must contend and co-exist with a dominant culture of popular music. Specialist music education at establishments such as the Asaf Zeynally Music School in Baku and Baku Academy of Music provide world-class music teaching to gifted classical musicians.

Modern day advocates of Western classical music in Azerbaijani include Farhad Badalbeyli, Fidan Gasimova and Franghiz Alizadeh.^[4]

Festivals and venues

Gabala International Music Festival is one of the most popular music festivals in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is host to many major orchestras, festivals and venues. The Gabala International Music Festival and Uzeyir Hajibeyov International Music Festival have presented annual music programmes of international status since the early 21st century.^[5][6]

Notable Performers

Composers

Fikrat Amirov · Tofig Bakikhanov · Afrasiyab Badalbeyli
Uzeyir Hajibeyov · Gara Garayev · Muslim Magomayev

• Vasif Adigozalov
• Shafiga Akhundova
• Agshin Alizadeh
• Franghiz Alizadeh
• Fikrat Amirov
• Afrasiyab Badalbeyli
• Farhad Badalbeyli
• Tofig Bakikhanov
• Faraj Garayev
• Gara Garayev
• Tofig Guliyev
• Soltan Hajibeyov
• Uzeyir Hajibeyov
• Zulfugar Hajibeyov
• Jovdat Hajiyev
• Rauf Hajiyev
• Jahangir Jahangirov
• Haji Khanmammadov
• Muslim Magomayev
• Arif Malikov
• Eldar Mansurov
• Arif Mirzayev
• Khayyam Mirzazade
• Niyazi
• Said Rustamov
• Emin Sabitoglu
• Ali Salimi
• Huseyngulu Sarabski
• Alakbar Taghiyev
• Asaf Zeynalli

Conductors

• Elnara Kerimova

Orchestras

• Azerbaijan State Orchestra of Folk Instruments
• Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra

References

1. "Thomas Gorltz: Shusha is a historic center of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan". 1905.az. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
2. Javadova-Spitzberg, Jamila. "Enlightenment in Azerbaijan; A Tribute to Uzeyir bey Hajibeyov". www.news.az/. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
3. Hurwitz, David. "Fikret Amirov: Orchestral Works". www.classicstoday.com. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
4. "Fərhad Bədəlbəyli: “Söz vermişəm ki, Şuşada musiqi məktəbi tikdirəcəyəm” - MÜSAHİBƏ - FOTOSESSİYA". az.apa.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 29 June 2014.
5. "Irina Bokova inaugurates the 2nd Gabala International Music Festival in Azerbaijan". www.unesco.org. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
6. "Korean artists fascinate Azerbaijan with kicks and moves". www.arirang.co.kr. Arirang. Retrieved 18 August 2014.