HIS PERCEPTION OF MUSIC

The great German poet, statesman and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said: "The dignity of art appears perhaps most conspicuously in music." The same can be said about a man who devotes himself to serving music. In this work, he shows not only his greatness, but also talent, perseverance and, most importantly, love for his work. Regular visitors to classical music concerts say about the honoured artist, conductor of the Uzeyir Hacibayov Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra, professor of the Baku Music Academy, Faxraddin Karimov: "If Faxraddin Karimov is on the conductor's podium, you can count on a good night that gives an opportunity to hear a fine interpretation of good music." In an interview with our correspondent, the famous maestro talked about his work, hobbies and love for music.

- You graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in the violin class and later became a conductor. How did you choose this direction in music?

- I was in love with the conductor's profession from school, and my dream came true. While studying in Moscow and playing in the student orchestra under the direction of the great conductors Fuad Mansurov, Gennadiy Rozhdestvenskiy and Kirill Kondrashin, I knew that I wanted to conduct myself, and this desire in me increased. Arriving in Baku, I worked as a concertmaster at the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of maestro Niyazi. He made a lasting impression on me with his figurative body language. I remember the exact comments, which he made to musicians. Maestro helped me a lot in life, enjoyed great prestige in society, and his requests were perceived with respect. Cooperation with Niyazi convinced me to go to study. And in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) my immediate mentors were Professor Ilya Musin and Valeriy Gergiyev. Watching the work of many conductors, I should say that an important role in my life was played by the people's artist and chief conductor of the Uzeyir Hacibayov Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra, Rauf Abdullayev, who gave me valuable advice in the profession. I'm happy that now I can interpret music myself and lead the process of collective music-playing. I'm sure that each musician would like to try his hand in this field at least once in their life, but not everyone can do it.

- You worked in Turkey for a long time and relations with this country are continuing...

- I've been working with Turkish musicians for more than 20 years. In my life, Turkey was the creative springboard, where I was able to put into practice many projects of opera, symphonic and chamber music after years of study. At the municipality of Istanbul, I organized an opera and symphony orchestra, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. I was the principal conductor of the State Opera and Ballet Theatre in Izmir for several years. During my time in Turkey, combining touring performances abroad and conducting works of world classics at the same time, I also played music of Azerbaijani composers, which has always caused keen interest among the audience. In Turkey, there are many opera houses and orchestras, where our compatriots, representatives of former Soviet republics and foreign musicians work. There are opera houses in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Samsun, Mersin and Antalya. In addition, many cities have set up public and private symphonic and chamber orchestras and opened conservatories. The development of all spheres of art and music, in particular, is well funded and supported by the Turkish government.

- You have an extensive repertoire, but still what composer's music is the closest to you?

- I can't name anyone in particular, but I'm especially close to the music of Western European and Russian composers of the 19th-20th centuries. Almost in every programme, I try to perform works that were not previously familiar to our audience. For example, some works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Hector Berlioz, Florent Schmitt, Franz von Suppe, Ottorino Respighi, Paul Hindemith, Leonard Bernstein, Anatoly Liadov, Antonin Dvorak, Pyotr Tchaikovsky and others were played in Baku for the first time. Also, works of Firangiz Alizada, Azar Dadasov, Sardar Faracov, Rauf Aliyev, Ilyas Mirzayev, Arif Mirzayev, Arif Malikov and other modern Azerbaijani composers were performed for the first time under my direction.

- You gave concerts in many countries. Tell us about your impressions.

- There are a lot of impressions and every concert is interesting in its own way, like every orchestra I had the opportunity to work with in cities of Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine and Georgia. There is also striking and unforgettable experience from tours with the Mikhaylovskiy St. Petersburg Opera and Ballet Theatre in Japan. I'm proud to recall several successful performances with our orchestra in France and later in Greece during the Days of Culture of Azerbaijan organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

- I wonder how you prepare for concerts. Performing new works and looking through the score, do you hear music and voices in yourself?

 - Sure. With experience gained over the years, I can confirm an excellent idea that exists among conductors: "By studying the score, you need to hear with your eyes and see with your ears." I would add that each conductor, preparing for the performance, naturally has his own approach. By studying the score, we play the music on the piano, listen to records, think over the pace, nuances, etc.

- Your children didn't become musicians, and your wife is a talented pianist...

- Yuliya and I studied in Leningrad, and sometimes we perform together in concerts. The community of professions helps us to quickly and more accurately find solutions in joint creative projects, debates and discussions, adding adrenaline, brighten our daily lives. As for the children, they live in a time when the interests and opportunities of today's youth are very broad, and I think that the main task is to prepare our sons for the realities of life. And for the time being, they study and make us happy with their successes.

- What to do in your spare time?

- I almost don't have any - my work absorbs everything. Anyone who does what he likes and is in demand is a happy man. My hobby coincides with my profession. If I have a day off, I try to read something, watch a good movie or a soccer match, chat with friends...

- What do you value in people most of all?

- Sincerity in dialogue, disinterested friendship, honesty, courage to make decisions. And I really appreciate humour that is a must have in many situations. Here it would be appropriate to recall the words of the famous German philosopher Immanuel Kant, who once said: "Humour is a talent to randomly have good spirits."

- Do you have a dream?

- Of course. To live in a peaceful and prosperous Azerbaijan, in a circle of relatives and close friends. I wish the speedy liberation of the occupied lands of Nagornyy Karabakh and want to participate in a gala concert at the home of my parents - in Susa.