The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan co-organized an online concert at the Maya Kulieva Turkmen National Conservatory’s Big Hall on March 12 to mark the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence and 2021 designated as the International Year of Peace and Trust. Representatives of the Uzeir Gajibekov Baku Academy of Music took part in it via videoconferencing.
Rectors of the two institutions, who delivered welcome addresses to the event participants, put an emphasis on prospects for a closer musical dialogue and expressed their mutual desire to enhance cooperation.
The concert opened with works by Kara Karaev, Nury Khalmamedov and Chary Nurymov, performed by Turkmen musicians. Aziza Agamyradova, a fourth-year vocal performance student, impressively sang the aria of Shasenem from the opera ‘Shasenem and Garyp’ by Dangatar Ovezov and Adrian Shaposhnikov. The singer’s velvety soprano voice accented the wonderfully expressive musical phrases.
The Conservatory’s string quartet made up of outstanding performers and winners of international competitions: Bakhram Dolyev, Aibolek Mukhieva, Takhir Ataev and Kakageldy Khojalekov played the second movement of Nury Khalmamedov’s ‘The String Quartet’.
Nigyar Askerova, a fourth-year student at the Baku Academy of Music sang a song called ‘My Azerbaijan’ by F. Amirov, taking the listeners on a journey into the world of Azerbaijani music. Tenor Rza Hosrovzade, a fourth-year student and winner of international competitions, performed a lyrical song ‘Don’t be Proud’ (music by T. Kuliev).
The remarkable Turkmen composer Nury Khalmamedov’s ‘Ballade’ was performed by Medina Agaeva, a second-year master’s student at the Baku Academy of Music and a winner of international competitions. The melody played by the pianist sounded stately and majestic at first and then wonderfully expressive, richly detailed and full of dynamics in the distinctive manner of Khalmamedov.
The online concert that brought together the musicians and listeners from Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan helped to tell about the history of the two friendly countries’ music, modern trends, and ongoing massive efforts to preserve and enrich the unique musical traditions.
Tamara GLAZUNOVA
Photo: Yuri SHKURIN
