INT`L MUSIC FESTIVAL KICKS OFF IN BAKU

Baku, 20 November,(AzerTAj)International Music Festival kicked off in Baku on November 19 at the State Philharmonic Hall of Azerbaijan. The Festival was organized in time for the 75th anniversary of outstanding Azerbaijani composer Arif Melikov.

Deputy prime-minister Elchin Efendiyev, addressing the opening ceremony recalled
that Arif Melikov’s first major composition "Legend of Love" ballet, based on Nazim
Hikmet’s libretto, was staged at the Mariinski Theatre in St. Petersburg as far back
as 1961 and received nationwide acclaim.
Arif Melikov expressed gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the
First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their support and contribution towards the party’s
success.
The concert got started with Arif Melikov’s vocal and symphonic poem “Homeland” and
Symphony No. 8 (“Eternity”) performed by Uzeyir Hajibayov Azerbaijan State Symphony
Orchestra (artistic director and conductor Rauf Abdullayev) and Azerbaijan State
Choral Group.
Also, the evening featured a new album presentation. Arif Melikov’s new album
“Eternity” Symphony is dedicated to the national leader Heydar Aliyev and supported
by Mehriban Aliyeva, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Also Arif Melikov’s book
“Mugham” is expected to come out in the near future. The book is dedicated to the
First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, who shows huge concern for Mugham, according to Arif
Melikov.
Fatma Abdullazade, Chief of the President’s Office Humanitarian Policy Department,
Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan Abulfaz Garayev were among the
attendees.
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