Baku to commemorate great composer

By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan’s State Philharmonic Hall will host an event devoted to great composer Gara Garayev on February 6, Trend Life reported.

The event will highlight the life and activity of the legendary composer, as well as his invaluable contribution not only to Azerbaijani culture, but also to the treasury of world music.

The Azerbaijan State Orchestra of National Instruments and students of the Central School of Arts named after Gara Garayev will perform works by the composer.

Gara Garayev , one of the most outstanding figures in the Azerbaijani culture, is the author of nearly 110 pieces, including ballets, operas, symphonic and chamber pieces, piano solos, cantatas, songs and marches.

The great composer juxtaposed features of Mugham with jazz, blues, African music, European counterpoint styles, and developments related to the 20th century Western music such as the 12-tone technique.

His music combines a strict, logical spirit of classicism with a poignant, romantic passion. After years of creating consonant and tonal pieces, he turned to a dissonant style in which links with folklore became less obvious, especially in such works as the Third Symphony and Violin Concerto.