Mugham master to perform in France

By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan’s world-famous mugham master Alim Qasimov and  his daughter Farghana Gasimova will give a concert at Philharmonie De Paris in France on November 5, Azertac reported.

The live concert is organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Paris.

Alim discovered the world of mugham as a child, when he began singing for his own enjoyment. He grew up in the town of Shamakhi, 100 km northwest of Baku. "I had no idea that I would become a singer," he remembers.

He studied at Baku's Asaf Zeynalli Music College from 1978 to 1982. His teachers included Seyid and Khan Shushinski, Zulfu Adigozalov, Hajibaba Huseynov and Agha Khan Abdullayev. In 1999, Alim won the prestigious UNESCO Music Prize, one of the highest international accolades that a musician can hope for.

His powerful voice represents a move away from the traditional style of mugham. Qasimov recorded about nine albums, three of which are mugham albums with his daughter, Farghana.

"Mugham is the meaning of my life. It's what I live and breathe. Through performance, I intend to convey the originality of this genre. When I have concerts abroad, an audience is giving a standing ovation not to me, but mugham", he usually says.

The musician gives concerts in the world’s most prestigious concert halls.  The magical voice won over audiences in Central Asia, the USA, Europe, and Japan. 

The daughter of famous mugham singer followed in her father’s footsteps. Her amazing talent was discovered in 1995, when at the age of sixteen, she joined father in a concert tour in Germany.

Over the years, Farghana Qasimova, along with her father and teacher Alim Qasimov, has successfully represented Azerbaijan in the international arena, making a significant contribution to the development and promotion of mugham.

She received twice presidential award for developing Azerbaijani music in 2012 and 2014.