Next phase of the International Mugham Contest’s first round is organized

On June 20, next phase of the International Mugham Contest’s first round was organized in the framework of the Space of Mugam 6^th International Music Festival.

At the contest, hearings on the next phase of the first round were first conducted on the category of instrumental performance. Other 6 participants whose names were drawn in a lot in this category – Jahandar Mikayilov, Anar Velizade(Azerbaijan) Hasan Kirish (Türkiye), Farkhodbek Madaminov, Toshtemir Shukrullayev (Uzbekistan) Ofir Viflich (Israel), then 5 participants on the category of singing – Khayal Huseynov, Mirali Saryzade (Azerbaijan), Sohiba Abdullayeva, Alibek Saparboyev (Uzbekistan), Isa Charandabi (Iran) presented their performances.  

Then, names of the performers who moved up to the second phase of the contest were announced. On the category of instrumental performance, 5 participants – Vagif Tahmazov, Jahandar Mikayilov, Anar Velizade (Azerbaijan), Shokhijon Yoriyev, Toshtemur Shukurullayev (Uzbekistan), and, on the category of singing, 5 participants – Mirali Saryzade, Dashgyn Kurchayly (Azerbaijan), Mohichehra Shahmurotova, Dostmurod Negmurodov (Uzbekistan), Isa Charandabi (Iran) moved up to the second round.

The International Mugham Contest is held on the categories of singing and instrumental performance. In general, 22 participants, including 12 participants on the category of instrumental performance and 10 participants on the category of singing competed at the contest. Our country was presented by 5 participants on the category of instrumental performance, and 4 on the category of singing.

In his interview before the hearings of the contest, famous American kamancha performer Jeffrey Verbok, who is participating in the festival by a special invitation, expressed his satisfaction with the participation in the Space of Mugam 6^th International Music Festival, sharing his impressions: “ I try to regularly participate in this festival, organized in Azerbaijan. I am a performer of kamancha, tar and guitar in America. Having listened to kamancha and tar - pearls of your music instruments - and your mugham, I was instantly charmed by them. It is impossible not to love your music. The Space of Mugam 6^th International Music Festival is each time held on a grandiose level. Young and renowned performers from a number of countries participate in this festival. This is a very good step. We thank all the organizers, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Culture Ministry for this initiative. This is a great project for music lovers, and I think it will continue, and those having sensation of music will always participate in this beautiful music festival. Some 51 years ago, I heard your mugham in America, where I lived, and it made a very pleasant impression at that time on me. Thus, I was charmed by Azerbaijani mugham. Thereafter, I decided to perform mugham on kamancha and tar, and I have accomplished that ".

On June 21, hearings will be held on the second round of the contest. After the hearings, winners will be chosen from among the performers participating in the second round. Awarding of the winners on singing and instrumental performance will take place at the final concert to be organized at the Heydar Aliyev Palace on June 25. Winners of the contest on singing and instrumental performance will be chosen by an international jury comprised of experts from Azerbaijan, the Great Britain, Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Türkiye. Awards will be presented for the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd places, as well as for Grand Prix in each category.