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October 29, 2014

Musical Journey to the "Land of Fire"

As premiere on October 28, the State Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Azerbaijan hosted in Hannover an extraordinary evening concert under the direction of Fuad Ibrahimov!

 

"Music is a bridge between countries and peoples," said the Azerbaijani ambassador Parviz Shahbazov and brought the spirit of the special cultural evening in the domed hall to the point. The Ambassador invited together with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to a Symphony Concert and Gala - among the guests were Hannover Mayor Thomas Hermann and TV presenter Susann Atwell.

 

Host Jo Ferchner and the ambassador agreed with facts and anecdotes from the economically fast growing country the evening. Shahbazov stressed that the country is often reduced to its function as an energy supplier, but it also has an excelled history as a musical pioneer with outstanding composers. As an example of this is, the first Muslim opera, which was written in Azerbaijan.

 

The Highlight of the evening was the concert of the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra Uzeyir Hajibeyli under the direction of conductor Fuad Ibrahimov, an internationally acclaimed musician who has a very special relationship to Germany: „Living here has influenced me. Not only my studies in Cologne, but also all experience in daily life have expanded my horizon.“ Together with the orchestra presented Ibarahimov works of Azerbaijani composers . A varied program that the special character of Azerbaijan reflecting in a musical way a link between East and West. This music alternated with American influence, as Ogtay Zulfugarovs celebrated overture "Have A Good Time, My People", with sounds of the traditional mugham music. She brought the Hannoverian audience "the country’ of fire" closer with traditional instruments such as Balaban and Anda Khan. Enthusiasm made ​​the powerful voiced tenor Azer Rzazadeh and also the clarinetist Shukur Samadov: Shortly before the end of the concert he surprised with a true-swing piece by Karel Krautgartner and convinced both musically and through his stage presence.

 

 An equally strong presence showed Ibrahimov as conductor who led the concert in a very emotional and an almost playful manner. Just multifaceted pieces, like the waltz from the renowned ballet "Seven Beauties" of Gara Garayev provoked storms of enthusiasm. Here, the long connection between conductor and orchestra were prooved. Ibrahimov began his career as a violist with the National Symphony Orchestra and has often worked as a conductor with the musicians. "Initially it was difficult to stand before these master musicians who have taught me so much. But they have made it easy for me. The orchestra has a very friendly atmosphere“ said Ibrahimov.

 

The music program was framed by two exhibitions. The photo collection "Tracing - Germans in Azerbaijan“,  showed that live was influenced by the wine-growing village life in Helenendorf in the 1920s. Moreover and under the title "Germany as seen through the eyes of an artist" paintings of young Azerbaijani artists were presented. This exhibition emerged as part of an annual competition. Through its unique concept - the artists must never have visited Germany - are original reinterpretations of typical German characteristics, traditions and also stereotypes. The subjects range from German punctuality and technology development to Oktoberfest.

 

Azerbaijani delicacies framed the evening. Ambassador Shahbazov was pleased with the positive response of approximately 800 guests: "This motivates me. The cultural evenings are regularly held in different cities and we hope to bring Azerbaijani culture closer to many people via this."

 

http://allegretto-zeitung.de/musikalische-reise-in-das-land-des-feuers/