3rd International Music Festival to take place in Azerbaijan

3rd International Music Festival and International Piano Competition will be held in Azerbaijan’s city of Gabala. Rector of Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, people’s artist, one of the music directors of the festival Farhad Badalbeyli said that this year’s festival will differ from the previous ones for the number of the participants and its coverage.

Badalbeyli underlined that International Piano Competition will be held in Gabala on July 15-22, young pianists from more than 30 countries will compete. Rector of Baku Music Academy noted that the winner of the competition will get $30,000.

“30-35 pianists from various countries will come to Gabala. The winner of the competition will have a chance to give a concert together with London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This is a wish of every young pianist. Therefore, the rivalry will be very serious,” he said.

As regards the pianist, who will represent Azerbaijan in the competition, Farhad Badalbeyli said unfortunately Azerbaijan will not be represented in the competition.

“Unfortunately, our pianists were passive. I do not know, may be they were excited, as laureates and winners of several competitions from China and Russia will participate in the competition. Our young pianists will only attend master classes,” he said.

Well-known Italian and Spanish professors will be among the jury of the international competition and give master classes.

Badalbeyli said the festival had very rich and interesting program. He said Uzeyir Hajibeyov’s Symphonic Orchestra, Azerbaijani pianists Murad Husenov, Yegana Akhundova, Italian and Spanish vocalists, Azerbaijani performers Javid Samadov and Azer Rzayev will also participate in the concerts. “Mugham and jazz nights will be organized within the festival. Winners of the recent mugham contest will perform at the mugham concerts. Yuri Bashmet’s New Russia Symphonic Orchestra, Denis Matsuev, Boris Berezovsky, well-known baritones are also expected to perform during the festival”.

Badalbeyli said the number of participants has been increased in the 3rd Gabala Music Festival. “Therefore Heydar Aliyev Foundation asked the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to deal with this matter because the sphere of coverage is very large. We can organize the 1st and 2nd festivals, but now we can’t do it alone. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is the main organizer. It will address the issues of visa, transport, welcoming and traveling to Gabala. For that, the ministry established a special office headed by Adalat Veliyev”.

The festival will be held under the auspices of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The annual festival is held in Gabala every summer.


/APA/