Artist
Alim Quasimov
Azerbaijan
Alim Qasimov. The Azer Songs of Mugham – Mystical Love Poems.
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List
Mugham – the indigenous classical music of Azerbaijan – belongs to a tradition of urban classical or court music that flourished across the great cultural centres of the Islamic world from more than a millennium ago. Mugham is rooted in a system of melodic modes and motifs that provide the frame work for both improvised performances and fixed compositions. Following a conventional order, skilled performers sequence pieces in different melodic modes into a suite that may last anywhere from twenty minutes to two hours. Throughout a mugham suite extended pieces that blend together memorised and improvised elements alternate with short, dance-like instrumental sections. Contemporary representations of the Azerbaijani Mugham reflect different periods of Azerbaijan’s history and its contact with Persians, Armenians, Georgians and with other Turkic peoples. In the past, Mugham was primarily performed on two secular occasions: the toy, the traditional wedding feast and the majles, a gathering of connoisseurs in private settings. It was also cultivated by members of the Sufi orders and by performers of religious dramas known as ta’zie or shabih. Official competitions and informal contests served to establish the reputation of accomplished musicians. Alim Qasimov is one of Azerbaijan's most beloved musicians. Credited with re-inventing mugham with his extraordinary vocal improvisations, his work has been influenced by, and is compared to, that of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The winner of the prestigious IMC-UNESCO music prize in 1999, one of the highest international prizes for music, it is when he sings that Qasimov's inner fire burns the brightest. Qasimov's long career has seen him tour all over the world and record nine albums – three of them with his daughter Fargana. Fargana Qasimov's vocal talent naturally gravitated towards the music she heard from her father – she has been practising informally with him since she was sixteen. Alim and Fargana Qasimov exemplify the explosive energy that results when a powerful musical model ignites the spark of young talent.
Programme:
Title: Ceremonial opening of the Brave Festival 2009 ”Prayers of the World” - Alim Quasimov. The Azer Songs of Mugham – Mystical Love Poems. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List
Place: CAPITOL Music Theatre
date/hour: 03.07.2009 / 19:00
Price: 20 PLN
TICKET
Azerbaijan
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Alim Qasimov. The Azer Songs of Mugham – Mystical Love Poems.UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List
Mugham – the indigenous classical music of Azerbaijan – belongs to a tradition of urban classical or court music that flourished across the great cultural centres of the Islamic world from more than a millennium ago. Mugham is rooted in a system of melodic modes and motifs that provide the frame work for both improvised performances and fixed compositions. Following a conventional order, skilled performers sequence pieces in different melodic modes into a suite that may last anywhere from twenty minutes to two hours. Throughout a mugham suite extended pieces that blend together memorised and improvised elements alternate with short, dance-like instrumental sections. Contemporary representations of the Azerbaijani Mugham reflect different periods of Azerbaijan’s history and its contact with Persians, Armenians, Georgians and with other Turkic peoples. In the past, Mugham was primarily performed on two secular occasions: the toy, the traditional wedding feast and the majles, a gathering of connoisseurs in private settings. It was also cultivated by members of the Sufi orders and by performers of religious dramas known as ta’zie or shabih. Official competitions and informal contests served to establish the reputation of accomplished musicians. Alim Qasimov is one of Azerbaijan's most beloved musicians. Credited with re-inventing mugham with his extraordinary vocal improvisations, his work has been influenced by, and is compared to, that of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The winner of the prestigious IMC-UNESCO music prize in 1999, one of the highest international prizes for music, it is when he sings that Qasimov's inner fire burns the brightest. Qasimov's long career has seen him tour all over the world and record nine albums – three of them with his daughter Fargana. Fargana Qasimov's vocal talent naturally gravitated towards the music she heard from her father – she has been practising informally with him since she was sixteen. Alim and Fargana Qasimov exemplify the explosive energy that results when a powerful musical model ignites the spark of young talent.
Programme:
Title: Ceremonial opening of the Brave Festival 2009 ”Prayers of the World” - Alim Quasimov. The Azer Songs of Mugham – Mystical Love Poems. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List
Place: CAPITOL Music Theatre
date/hour: 03.07.2009 / 19:00
Price: 20 PLN
TICKET
