Azerbaijan marks 99th anniversary of Suleyman Alasgarov - outstanding art figure of Shusha, pearl of Karabakh

Baku, February 22, AZERTAC

Today, Azerbaijan marks the 99th birthday anniversary of an outstanding Azerbaijani composer, conductor, professor, People’s Artist of Azerbaijan SSR (1974) Suleyman Alasgarov.

Suleyman Alasgarov was born on February 22, 1924 in the capital of Karabakh, Shusha - the cradle of Azerbaijani culture, the pearl of Karabakh, which has given a birth to a host of worthy sons and daughters of the country such as poetess Khurshud banu Natavan, singers Kharrat Gulu, Haji Husnu, Seyid Shushinski, Bulbul, Khan Shushinski, Rashid Behbudov, composers Uzeyir Hajibayov, Fikrat Amirov, and Niyazi.

Drawing inspiration from his beloved Shusha, the future author of two operas, twelve operettas, numerous symphonic works, cantatas, pieces and romances, graduated with honors from Azerbaijan National Conservatory in 1948.

Alasgarov then held a post of the Artistic Director of the Committee for Cinematography of the Azerbaijan SSR from 1949-1951. He also managed Azerbaijan’s Song and Dance Ensemble from 1951 to 1952. From 1954 to 1956 he was the Director of the Dance and Song Ensemble of Azerbaijan State Philharmonic named after Muslim Magomayev.

Suleyman Alasgarov then had a longer spell as a Director and conductor of the Azerbaijan State Theater of Musical Comedy.

His notable works include operas “Bahadur and Sona”, “Fading Flowers”, operettas “Ulduz”, “Flower of Love” “Millionaire’s beggar son”, as well as symphony “Motherland” and symphonic mugham “Bayati Shiraz”.

The renowned figure of Azerbaijani culture, Suleyman Alasgarov passed away on January 21, 1999 in Baku.