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Home , Ahmad Javad, Hasan bey Zardabi, Huseyn Javid, Jalil Mammadguluzadeh, Nariman Narimanov, Niyazi

Outstanding

ANAR People’s writer Genious

The world of Uzeyir… and certainly this world was created by Uzeyir Hajibayov himself, his rich autobiog- raphy that went through various and complicate periods of life, outstanding personality, multifaceted creative work and, undoubtedly, first of all immortal pieces of his masterworks. These are events, stories, facts. It is a beautiful and different world.

he history of our and Chamanzaminli, and Ismayil Efendiyev, Lutfali Abdullayev, theater in the XX-th century, , M.S.Ordubadi and Minavvar Kalantarli, Firangiz Tcomplex and contradicting de- Azim Azimzadeh, G.Arablinski and Akhmadova, Lutfiyar Imanov, velopment of political and public life Jafar Jabbarli, and Khuraman Gasimova and many in the first half of the century is also Ismayil Hidayatzadeh… more actors, singers, conductors, connected with the name of Uzeyir Drama works of Uzeyir Hajibayov producers – stars of our art – that Hajibayov. To speak of Uzeyir bey represent a true school that has sparkled through the masterpeices means to remember elder person- formed tens of dramatic art mas- of Uzeyir bey… alities of his time – Khurshud Banu ters in . Majnun of Friend, and a personality­ of Natavan, Mir Mohsun Navvab, Jabbar Huseyngulu Sarabski and Koroglu the time of Uzeyir was Muslim Garyagdi oglu, . of Bulbul, Askar of Magomayev…Worthy followers of Talking of public and political and Mashadi Ibad of Mirzaga Aliyev, the composer’s traditions – Gara activity of Uzeyir bey, we can’t for- Leyli of Rubaba Muradova and Garayev and Fikrat Amirov, and get about the outstanding figures, Gulchohra of Fidan Gasimova, Asli Asaf Zeynalli, Afrasiyab Badalbayli and living and creating together with of Zeynab Khanlarova, Hasan khan , Sultan Hajibayov and him in different periods, - they are of Agababa Buniyatzadeh, Gochu Jahangir Jahangirov, Jovdat Hajiyev and Sabir, Askar of Mohsun Sanani, Rustam and … The Uzeyir’s el- Ali bay Huseynzadeh and Ahmad bay of Agasadik Garaybayli… der - Zulfugar Hajibayov was the clos- bay Agaoglu, Akhmad Agdamskiy, Huseynaga est friend of Uzeyir bey at the begin- and Mammad Emin Rasulzadeh, Hajibababayov, Hagigat Rzayeva, ning of his creative path, his younger A.Akhverdiyev and Yusif Vazir Mustafa Mardanov, Ismayil Osmanli, brother Jeyhun bay remained far

16 www.irs-az.com www.irs-az.com 17 Outstanding Azerbaijanis

Famous for its singers, outstand- ing masters used to be called “Conservatorium of Caucausus”. The “Conservatorium of Caucausus” was the first music school of small Uzeyir. Nature generously endowed Uzeyir bey with everything – incred- ible talent, unique abilities for music, the feeling of rhythm, creativity for a great number of melodies, to be right to the point from the young age. All of these granted by God fea- tured together with daily hard work, self-perfection and love for life, and creative research work - bonded together in Uzeyir Hajibayov and from motherland… in other country, formed his individual spiritual world. whom Uzeyir bey missed till the end Sometimes one wonders – how of his life. Faithful wife of Uzeyir bey 22 years old Uzeyir Hajibayov, whose – Maleyka khanum… Researchers music education was incomplete of Uzeyir Hajibeyov heritage… yet, could create such an , mu- Creative mutual relations, contacts gham opera as “Leyli and Majnun”. and links of Uzeyir bey with figures If we are talking about of art, science, politology, music and opera, why do we have to get sur- art sciences in , , , prised? Conservatorium of mugham Caucausus, Turkistan – Rashid Nuri is Shusha. Every gathering at a fresh The poster of “Leyli Guntekin and Said Nafisi, Glazunov spring, at the most beautiful nature and Majnun” opera and Stalin, Glier and Shestakovich… turns to the conservatorium class. This is a world of Uzeyir. But it goes Every singer playing and kaman- literary works. without saying - the centre of this cha, if is not a professor of this con- While still young, deeply realizing world, its founder, its brightening servatorium, is definitely a teacher the importance of turning into reality light, then sun is Uzeyir bey himself. of it. But there were professors too: the objectives he dreamed of, Uzeyir Having been born in September famous for all Caucausus and East, strived to realize that the given life in 18 (in old style – September 5), 1885, masters of – singers, sa- front of him is first of all the creation in Agjabedi, Uzeyir spent his child- zandars. Every play is a lesson of mu- of national opera. He remembered hood in the pearl of our ancient ghams. Right in this conservatorium so well a small musical scene that he Karabakh – Shusha. The source of of mughams Uzeyir Hajibayov re- had seen in Shusha. It was in 1897- both his creative works as well as ceived an education till he was four- 1898, when he was only 13 years old. his world perception, the composer teen. This is not a short time for the The scene of “Mejnun on the grave of takes the start from the heights, cov- capable and givted student. Leyli”, put on stage on the initiative of ered with snow mountains, morning Having been admitted to Gori famous personality Abdurahim bek, swing of a breeze, springs as sweet Teachers seminarium in 1899, he played by a famous singer Jabbar as honey, all that Shusha is famous didn’t only bring native songs and Garyagdi oglu. This scene impressed for, our beauty Shusha, wounded rhythms, he also brought to Gori a small Uzeyir so much that he decided Shusha. heart full of great hope. Young Uzeyir to create something similar to opera. Shusha always preserved its high lived with great dream – to serve his It is strange that a childish dream, moral value, always remained the people, get educated, to do a cer- a sensible wish was realized in ten shelter for musical and poetic gath- tain work in the name of its cultural years, turned into reality; it didn’t erings, despite a number of historic development: to set dictionaries, to only become the fact of reality of problems that affected this city. translate into native Turkic language Uzeyir but also a significant aspect in

18 www.irs-az.com the history of our culture. The world music discovered a new scenic genre called mugham opera. Uzeyir bay Hajibayov created not just “some- thing like opera”, he also established a new genre called mugham opera. In January 12, 1908, in the building of theatre of Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev, there was a premiere of the first Azerbaijani opera called “Leyli and Mejnun”. Created on the motives of a poem by great poet Mahammad Fizuli, the first Azerbaijani op- era became also the first opera of all the East. This day became the birthday of opera in ancient East and was recorded in the op- Monument put to Uzeyir Hajibeyov in , Austria, 2006 era history of East after the hon- oured name of 22 years old com- world music art – possess notes sys- predict the forthcoming. The time poser Uzeyir Hajibayov. tem, create and develop the opera showed that in current interna- Having received his music edu- and ballet of European type, choir, tional musical disputes and discus- cation in Petersburg and , symphony, genres of chamber and sions both “Koroglu” and “Leyli and formed as a professional musician vocal music. Mejnun” occupy quite an honoured Uzeyir Hajibayov together with other This was a plain truth accepted position. For today’s listener “Leyli prominent personalities of his time by all, no one denies it, but while ap- and Mejnun” as well as other mu- determined the way, truly the main proving this path of development do gham alongside with other path of our music. we really have to sacrifice our mu- European traditional opera forms It goes without saying, the ge- gham, to stop playing tar… is this are original, wonderful pieces of art. nius program masterpeice of that vitally important? “Play tar, play tar, Mugham operas are not differenti- period became the opera “Koroglu”, who is going to forget you?”, “Don’t ated among usual operas with such the creation of which coincided with play tar, proletariat does not accept characterization as“simple and com- the time when the process of classic you!” Who to listen to? plex”, “perfect and naïve” but with their genre, feature means, forms of “Conservatorium of Caucausus”. The “Conservatorium of singing and style. Caucausus” was the first music school of small Uzeyir. Mugham operas in azerbai- jani art are the reflection of music formation in Azerbaijan just Now it isn’t hard to be astonished Azerbaijani worldview, which started. Uzeyir bey created “Koroglu” on the absence of logic of those who do not have any similarity with not only at piano, in front of clean argued seventy years ago, evaluating any other genre, being an origi- musical notes sheet, but after a long everything that took place in those nal genre. creative research.That was an answer years with sarcasm and humour. It If the creation of outstanding expressed with music, an answer to was significantly harder to live in works in different genres of art is the talks of nigilists without princi- those times, and protect one’s prin- heroism, then the creation of new ples, to the facts brought by them to cipal position in those disputes and genres is a double heroism. In dif- public and esthetic disputes… discussions. It was equally difficult ferent genres Uzeyir Hajibayov What stood in the centre of dis- for Uzeyir bey to preserve himself – achieved not only the incredible putes around opera in twenties?“You to remain Uzeyir. Today’s history was heights but he also created com- cannot be satisfied with tars, kaman- their destiny then. pletely brand new genres. Mugham chas, mughams, our music ought The most difficult was to fors- opera is one of those achievements, to master the achievements of the ee the future, to look forward and which were also based on national www.irs-az.com 19 Outstanding Azerbaijanis musical traditions: such original mu- opera “Koroglu” became the symbol with all the sharpness inherent for sical comedies as “Arshin mal alan”, of reborn nation with its . Mirza Jalil replied: “My friend, I kindly “Husband and wife”, “If not this then ask you not to smell my works”. other”, which are fantasies for the or- **** There is no a single significant po- chestra of folks instruments… litical, public problem that wouldn’t Created as romances, in the com- Being an outstanding creator of find its reflection in bright publicist monly accepted meaning of this Azerbaijani music of the XX century, works of Uzeyir. word, “Beloved” and “Without you” Uzeyir Hajibayov was also an out- Several years ago it would be dif- differ from them with their specific standing scientist who received the ficult to say the whole truth about features and represent the samples honour to be the first researcher of Uzeyir bey. On the most significant of a completely new genre – genre this music, having achieved the gen- moment of life, political and pub- of musical gazelle. If gazelle is the eralization and systematization of its lic activity of Uzeyir Hajibayov – the most widely spread genre in our basis and principles. Very often he period of independent Azerbaijani centuries old literary tradition, then wrote articles speaking of different Democratic Republic of 1918-1920 - the first sample of musical gazelle issues related to musical art. At the it should have been spoken of then was granted to the world by Uzeyir same time, he undertook researches with semi hint, and in some cases bey… creation by a great composer in the field of theoretical grounds of even to keep silent. of a new national form based on mu- Azerbaijani music that resulted in a Was it really possible to disclose sical traditions loved by the people fundamental research work called the facts like membership in over the centuries meant the ap- “Basics of Azerbaijani folk music”. Party, he was one of the ideologists pearance of a new national genre. Uzeyir Hajibayov entered the his- of it, jointly with his brother Jeyhun In the beginning of XX century tory of national culture also with a bey, he published the newspaper Uzeyir bey created a musical com- talented drama pieces – he was the called “Azerbaijan” as official body edy called “Arshin mal alan”. The mu- author of of all of his musical of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic sic of this work is filled with light, scenic works, besides of opera called (after the departure of Jeyhun bey sunshine and youth mood. “Arshin “Koroglu”. to International Conference, mal alan” was created by 28 years Literary extracts, wonderful he published the newspaper alone), old, believing in life and the future, characters, clear sharpness of dia- the criticism, which appeared on the a young composer. logues, that were turned into sayings pages of the newspaper towards im- perialistic, colonial politics of Russian Mugham operas in azerbaijani art are the reflection of Azerbaijani Empire and of Soviet Russia? worldview, which do not have any similarity with any other Was it really possible to say any- genre, being an original genre. thing about the song composed then on the words of Akhmad Javad, In this music one can feel the among the public, original humour called“Black Sea was rebelling”, which breath of youth of the author as well of “Arshin mal alan” and especially is sung by turks in Turkey even today? as of his people. This music and its “If not this, then the other” put him As an exception, former mem- reprieves remind the breath, admira- among the classics of the comedy ber of Musavat Party, was accepted tion of the generation believing in genre as Mirza Fatali and Mirza Jalil… to Communist Party of their happy destiny; they were crys- By the way, it should be noted without passing the candidate expe- tallized in the souls of people. that irrespective of the fact how often rience, as it was then the case in all In none of the art works of his works were published in “Molla former Union. Stalin highly appreci- Azerbaijan of those times, you Nasraddin” magazine, as writer, com- ated the opera called “Koroglu”, val- could feel that bright reflection poser and publicist he can be con- ued the creative work of Uzeyir bey of faith in future, hope for the XX sidered to be the follower of “Molla - that all saved great composer, who century as in “Arshin mal alan”. Nasraddin” literary school. In a num- had behind himself an unusual past At the end of the XX century, ber of his political satirical articles one and a brother living in immigration. when brave Azerbaijani nation stood can feel the spirit of Mirza Jalil. Already in 20s Soviet Chekists up to fight for its freedom, national On the replica of his opponent Committee was pursuing the dignity, independence, the music of saying “Satirical articles of Uzeyir goal of individual exterminations Uzeyir bey overture written for the smell a different spirit”, composer of Azerbaijani intelligentsia, and

20 www.irs-az.com Musical Festival in Shusha city wearing bolshevist masks dashnak that was very difficult for composer teur, Hajibeyov, further on constantly investigators were collecting com- to endure. Damoklov sword hanging improving, receiving musical educa- promising data on Uzeyir Hajibayov over the head of Uzeyir bey, making tion, as a result achieved the recog- to “sue him for crime” and have him him to write cantata praising “a great nition of his authority as a composer killed. Then Nariman Narimanov was father, leader Stalin”. in European understanding of this able to prevent this national tragedy There were internal worries and word. It is a pity that bolshevist re- from happening. constant threats that his very close gime put under its control this rare Strong mutual relations existed people would never learn about. It genius mind of Azerbaijan, exploit- between Mir Jafar Bagirov and Uzeyir all was finally defeated by the strong ing him in its own favour for politics, bey: approval made on the official spirit of Uzeyir, by immortal works, managed to “possess” him. level often was replaced with a threat where the will of Uzeyir Hajibayov And finally, although he had to, and moral pursuit. was reflected, where there was a dig- behind iron curtains, compose artifi- Uzeyir bey lived quite a compli- nity and honor of nation, its spiritual cial marches; hear flattering words of cated life. wealth and wisdom… dictator in Moscow, despite the fact In the beginning of the XX centu- On the greatness of Uzeyir that on his grave in official silence ry he had financial difficulties, attacks Hajibayov and wonders that his mas- stood bolshevist agents who had in different articles that targeted him criticizing his works, attacks of abuse, In none of the art works of Azerbaijan of those times, you could even caricatures on the pages of feel that bright reflection of faith in future, hope for the XX cen- newspapers. tury as in “Arshin mal alan”. In Soviet time – nigilists deny- ing our musical heritage, bolshe- terpieces created very precisely said nothing in common with the cul- vist agents and their guardians, and his friend Mammad Amin Rasulzade, ture of Azerbaijan, nobody can ever principal disputes with them, in the when news about the death of separate Hajibayov Uzeyir from the years of repressions losing his clos- Uzeyir bey reached him in immigra- culture of Azerbaijan and the history est friends – Huseyn Javid, Akhmad tion behind the iron curtain far from of Azerbaijani turks. He will remain Javad, Abbas Mirza Sharifzade, Panah his motherland: as one of the initiators of the reborn Gasimov and many others – all of “Beginning his activity as ama- Azerbaijan forever!” www.irs-az.com 21