Russian House celebrates anniversary of People's Artist Fakhreddin Karimov

Russian House in Baku has organized a creative evening of the artistic director and chief conductor of the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra, People's Artist Fakhreddin Karimov.

The event titled "Fate at the Crossroads of Cultures," was held in honor of the Maestro's 70th birthday.

Head of the Russian House in Baku Irek Zinnurov welcomed the guests of the event.

During the creative evening, Fakhreddin Karimov, in response to questions from moderator Tatyana Ivanayeva, shared his memories of important events that influenced his artistic destiny and spoke about what is most important in his life-music, the conducting profession, priorities, and values.

The creative evening showcased excerpts of vibrant performances by orchestral ensembles from various countries that had worked under the baton of the celebrant, serving as a beautiful illustration of the Maestro's artistic achievements and success.

Friends and colleagues of the musician enriched the evening with performances expressing their admiration for the Maestro's work.

The program featured pieces by Azerbaijani and world-class composers performed by Honored Artist Farida Mammadova, senior lecturer from the Baku Music Academy (BMA) Yulia Karimova, and BMA student Khalil Mutallibov. The evening was moderated by the event's curator, Dr. Alena Inyakina, a philosophy doctor in art studies and senior lecturer at Baku Music Academy.

At the end of the meeting, there was a question-and-answer session between the audience and the Maestro.

Media support was provided by Trend.Az, Day.Az, Milli.Az, and Azernews.Az.

Fakhreddin Karimov was born on June 21, 1954, in Baku and graduated from the secondary specialized music school named after Bulbul. From the early 1970s to the 1990s, his fate was intertwined with Russia.

He studied violin at the Moscow State Conservatory named after P. I. Tchaikovsky.

In 1978, Fakhreddin Karimov became the concertmaster of the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named, which was then led by Maestro Niyazi. His interaction with Niyazi greatly influenced his decision to further his musical education and enroll in the conducting faculty. This aspiration was supported by friends and family, as well as composer Faraj Kerayev and conductor Rauf Abdullayev.

He continued his education in opera and symphonic conducting at the Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) State Conservatory named after N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov, studying under renowned conductors such as People's Artists of Russia Valery Gergiev and Professor Ilya Musin.

Fakhreddin Karimovworked at the Kirov Theater of Opera and Ballet (now the Mariinsky Theater) under Valery Gergiev. From 1991 to 2001, he was the conductor of the symphonic orchestra at the State Conservatory named after Mimar Sinan in Istanbul, where he also taught and created a student symphonic orchestra that performed in various cities across Turkiye.

In 1995, at the invitation of the Istanbul municipality, Karimov founded the Opera and Symphony Orchestra at the concert hall named after Cemal Resit Rey, which he conducted until 1999. In 2000, he was invited to the Izmir State Theater of Opera and Ballet, where he served as the chief conductor of the ensemble until 2004. During these years, he performed in concerts at prestigious festivals in Germany, Poland, Romania, Russia, Belarus, Turkiye, the Netherlands, and other countries.

Upon returning to his homeland, from 2004 he served as conductor of the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibali and became an associate professor at the vocal and opera training department of the Baku Music Academy.

For many years, he has promoted national classical music and global masterpieces.