Niyazi
Encyclopedia
Niyazi Zulfigar oglu Tagizade Hajibeyov (1912–1984) was a prominent Soviet
Azerbaijan
i musical conductor, composer, author of the famous "Rast" symphonic mugam
.
in a family of prominent Shusha
musicians. His father was the composer Zulfugar Hajibeyov
, brother of Uzeyir Hajibeyov
, the founder of the Azeri classical music. He was playing the violin in "Qırmızı Kadet" Turkish military orchestra in 1921. Years of 1925-1926 he was spending in Qnesin's Music School (Russia). In 1929-30 he was studying in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg
) in Central Musical Technical School, but he didn't finish that school due to his health problems. He came back to Baku
in 1931. Right after that he was sent to Dagestan
where he met his future wife Həchər khanum. The family of Hecher khanum wouldn't get they blessing for her marriage. So she and Niyazi decided to run away and get married secretly. They lived happy but hard life. The great love of his wife gave him strengths to produce most of his masterpieces, which contributed to Azerbaijan
's and Worlds musical treasury.
, Berlin
, Budapest
, Bucharest
, New York
, Paris
, Istanbul
, London
, Tehran
, Beijing
and Ulan-Bator and played an important role in making the Azeri classical music known to the world.
Niyazi was also a talented composer. Building upon the traditions of Uzeyir Hajibeyov
, he splendidly synthesized the traditional Azeri folk songs and mugam with the classical symphonic music. Niyazi's most significant works include opera "Khosrow and Shirin" (1942), ballet "Chitra" (1960). His symphonic mugam "Rast" achieved worldwide popularity and was included to the repertoire of many symphonic orchestras around the world.
Niyazi also headed the Azerbaijan symphonic orchestra for 46 years, from 1938 to the end of his life. He died on August 2, 1984.
Niyazi was honored as People's Artist of the USSR
(1959) and awarded the USSR State Prize
(1951, 1952) and highest title of the USSR, the Hero of Labor
(1982).
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
i musical conductor, composer, author of the famous "Rast" symphonic mugam
Mugham
Mugam also known as Azerbaijani Mugham is one of the many folk musical compositions from Azerbaijan, contrast with Tasnif, Ashugs. Mugam draws on Iranian-Arabic-Turkish Maqam....
.
Early life
Niyazi was born on August 20, 1912 in TbilisiTbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
in a family of prominent Shusha
Shusha
Shusha , also known as Shushi is a town in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh in the South Caucasus. It has been under the control of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic since its capture in 1992 during the Nagorno-Karabakh War...
musicians. His father was the composer Zulfugar Hajibeyov
Zulfugar Hajibeyov
Zulfugar Hajibeyov was an Azerbaijani composer and a member of a family noted for its musical talents. He was one of the founders of the Azerbaijan Music Comedy Theater.-Biography:Hajibeyov was born in Shusha on 17 April 1884....
, brother of Uzeyir Hajibeyov
Uzeyir Hajibeyov
Uzeyir bey Abdul Hussein oglu Hajibeyov was an Azerbaijani and Soviet composer, conductor, publicist, playwright, teacher, translator, and social figure from Azerbaijan. He is recognized as the father of Azerbaijani classical music and opera...
, the founder of the Azeri classical music. He was playing the violin in "Qırmızı Kadet" Turkish military orchestra in 1921. Years of 1925-1926 he was spending in Qnesin's Music School (Russia). In 1929-30 he was studying in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
) in Central Musical Technical School, but he didn't finish that school due to his health problems. He came back to Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
in 1931. Right after that he was sent to Dagestan
Dagestan
The Republic of Dagestan is a federal subject of Russia, located in the North Caucasus region. Its capital and the largest city is Makhachkala, located at the center of Dagestan on the Caspian Sea...
where he met his future wife Həchər khanum. The family of Hecher khanum wouldn't get they blessing for her marriage. So she and Niyazi decided to run away and get married secretly. They lived happy but hard life. The great love of his wife gave him strengths to produce most of his masterpieces, which contributed to Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
's and Worlds musical treasury.
Works
Niyazi conducted the symphonic orchestras in PraguePrague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
and Ulan-Bator and played an important role in making the Azeri classical music known to the world.
Niyazi was also a talented composer. Building upon the traditions of Uzeyir Hajibeyov
Uzeyir Hajibeyov
Uzeyir bey Abdul Hussein oglu Hajibeyov was an Azerbaijani and Soviet composer, conductor, publicist, playwright, teacher, translator, and social figure from Azerbaijan. He is recognized as the father of Azerbaijani classical music and opera...
, he splendidly synthesized the traditional Azeri folk songs and mugam with the classical symphonic music. Niyazi's most significant works include opera "Khosrow and Shirin" (1942), ballet "Chitra" (1960). His symphonic mugam "Rast" achieved worldwide popularity and was included to the repertoire of many symphonic orchestras around the world.
Niyazi also headed the Azerbaijan symphonic orchestra for 46 years, from 1938 to the end of his life. He died on August 2, 1984.
Niyazi was honored as People's Artist of the USSR
People's Artist of the USSR
People's Artist of the USSR, also sometimes translated as National Artist of the USSR, was an honorary title granted to citizens of the Soviet Union.- Nomenclature and significance :...
(1959) and awarded the USSR State Prize
USSR State Prize
The USSR State Prize was the Soviet Union's state honour. It was established on September 9, 1966. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, the prize was followed up by the State Prize of the Russian Federation....
(1951, 1952) and highest title of the USSR, the Hero of Labor
Hero of Socialist Labor
Hero of Socialist Labour was an honorary title in the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact countries. It was the highest degree of distinction for exceptional achievements in national economy and culture...
(1982).
External links
- Listen to Niyazi, Music Section of Azerbaijan International