Uzeyir Hajibayli International Music Festival opens in Baku

By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

The 8th Uzeyir Hajibayli International Music Festival opened in Heydar Aliyev Palace on September 18.

The festival that made tremendous contribution to promoting Azerbaijan`s  musical traditions kicks off annually at the National Music Day, dedicated to the birthday of  great musician, Trend Life reported.

The ten-day music celebration is co-organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Prior to the event, photos and books about life and creative activity of Uzeyir Hajibeyli were exhibited in the foyer.

Addressing the event, Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev stressed the importance of Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s music and scientific heritage.

“Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s music has been included into the gold fund of the world culture. Uzeyir bey made essential contributions as a publicist, playwright, scientist, public figure and pedagogue. His masterpiece “Koroglu” opera, “O olmasin, bu olsun”, “Arshin mal alan” musical comedies are splendid examples of the national music culture, they are still loved and demonstrated,” he said.

The colorful festival that brought together a number of art lovers continued with fascinating music program..

Guests enjoyed the beauty of classical works and masterly skill of Azerbaijani and foreign musicians.

The opening ceremony featured brilliant performance of  Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra as well as the State Choral Chapel.

State Symphony Orchestra performed the overture to the opera "Koroglu" by Uzeyir Hajibeyli, "Concerto for Symphony orchestra" by Soltan Hajibeyov, while as the State Choral Chape performed the cantata "Azeriler" Agshin Alizadeh.

In the second part of the event, famous Russian pianist Petr Laur delighted the audience with a majestic performance of "Concerto for piano and orchestra No. 1" by Johannes Brahms.

The festival will last until September 27 involving many local and international musicians from Azerbaijan, Russia, USA, Israel, Germany, Turkey, Georgia. Major concert programs will be held at the Magomayev Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall,  Organ and Chamber Music Hall, Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater , Azerbaijan composers Union, Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli etc.

Besides, the festival will feature performances and scientific conference dedicated to the study of the creative heritage of the great composer.