A closing concert of the 13th Gabala International Music Festival takes place

Organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, supported by the Ministry of Culture, the 13^th Gabala International Music Festival came to the end. Having become a nice tradition, the festival could this time turn, by its magnificence, the music world’s attention to Gabala. Launched on July 27, having continued seven days, the music festival was joined by world-renowned musicians – performers and conductors, music bands – from the Great Britain, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Turkey, along with Azerbaijan.

This time, the Gabala International Music Festival was dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

At the closing concert held on August 2, a grandiose music programme was presented to the audience with participation of People’s Artist Anvar Sadykhov (garmon), Honoured Artist Emil Afrasiab (piano) and “Gaytaghy” instrumental ensemble. The ensemble was comprised of Honoured Artist Alakbar Alakbarov (tar), Shakir Davudov (violin), Orkhan Musayev (balaban, clarinet), Khasay Gulmammadov (saz, ud), Bahram Mahmudov (twin naghara, percussion), Elvin Bashirov (percussion instruments), Taleh Aghayev (piano), Elmir Aliyev (naghara), Salim Mammadov (bas-guitar), and Hidayat Sadygbeyli (piano).

Medleys based on the music of the operetta “Arshyn mal alan” by Uzeir Hajibeyli and the movie “Where is Ahmad?” presented by People’s Artist Anvar Sadykhov, Honoured Artist Emil Afrasiab and “Gaytaghy” Instrumental Ensemble, “Affection” by Jahangir Jahangirov, popular dance “Khanchobany”, “Dream”, “Native Songs” from the movie “A Telephone Operator”, “Adios Nonino” by Astor Piazzolla, “Praktike by 9/8”” by Anvar Sadykhov, “Prayer” by Emil Afrasiab, “Mammy, my friend is marrying”, “Your smell has remained on the flower” by Ruhangiz Gasymova, a medley on the basis of the music from the movie “A Toy” by V.Cosma“, “From the repertoire of Khan Shushinski”, “Italian style”, “Nakhchivani” by Tofig Guliyev, popular song “Lachyn”, popular dance “Uzundere” and other works of music were welcomed at the concert by applauses.

Thus, the 13^th Gabala International Music Festival ended with joyful notes. With year-by-year growing influence, this festival has been of significant importance in the cultural life of Azerbaijan. Impatiently awaited by all fans of classic music, the Gabala International Music Festival serves, in addition, revealing new talents, as well as exchange of knowledge and studies in this field.

On the festival days, music fans and guests of Gabala got a chance to listen to concerts of the Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra named after Uzeir Hajibeyli, participants of the project “Supporting the Youth”, the Baku Chamber Orchestra, “Clarte” Clarinet Quartet, the Chamber Orchestra of Lithuania, and young mugham performers. The 150^th jubilee of Great Russian composer Sergey Rachmaninov, 90^th jubilee of eminent Azerbaijani composer Arif Melikov, 95^th jubilee of renowned pianist Bella Davidovich, and 190^th jubilee of eminent German composer Johannes Brahms were celebrated with special concert programmes within the framework of the festival. Thousands of people watched these concerts held at the Heydar Aliyev Congress Centre, as well as in the open air with much interest.