WHO PERFORMS AZERBAIJANI SONGS?

It is hard to find anyone who is totally indifferent to music.  Everyone loves music and perceives it in an individual way.  A song is the historical memory of a nation and it has a positive effect on a listener with a melody which reaches deep into your heart making you ponder philosophical thoughts which come with a realization of the endlessness of time or space, improving your mood.

Azerbaijani songs form a sizeable cluster of music and stand on the immortal mugam.  This is a genre of musical art always in demand, both in joy and in sorrow.  It ennobles and it makes the future seem brighter.  In the past, the songs of a ploughman, shepherd, hunter, fisherman, seasonal songs about the xonca and teaching songs, children's songs and others were popular and sung in specific circumstances.

Some have survived to this day in the form of folk songs.  But the folk songs which survive are going through difficult times. They are often lost in the stream of poor-quality music which floods the airs of radio stations and TV channels.  Giving air time to unprofessional performers and singers without vocal talent gives rise to concerns that the real Azerbaijani songs may get sidelined.

In the Soviet era, there were commissions at radio and TV broadcasting organizations which evaluated the artistic value of the works.  Only after thorough discussion about the song or piece of music, would the commissions allow them to be aired; this helped to get rid of poor-quality materials and out-and-out botchery.  But this form of censorship had its downside too.  For example, no exceptions were made for true talents who had no formal musical education.  Composers who were born with their talent, like Alakbar Tagiyev or Bahram Nasibov, were called amateur composers and their songs, which people listened to with fondness, were presented on the air as folk songs.  The songs of the great performer Cabbar Garaqdioglu and Xan Susinskiy, who possessed an inimitable voice, were also presented as folk songs.

More than 300 folk songs collected and recorded by Cabbar Garaqdioglu had an important role in the development of the performing arts in Azerbaijan and were widely used in operas and operettas.  More than 30 songs which he wrote himself were put onto sheet music by Uzeyir Hacibayov, Muslim Magomayev and Sayid Rustamov.

It would be fair to present the works of our prominent composers and singers not as folk songs, but as their own work.  For example, the song Irevanda Xal Galmadi (No mole remains in all Irevan), which the great performer composed at a wedding in Irevan, is today aired by radio and TV stations as a song by its true composer.  Cabbar Garaqdioglu wrote the lyrics in Irevan at the request of the bride's father.

The inimitable Xan Susinskiy was both singer and composer of songs.  The song Qara Goz, which was written by the great Uzeyir bey for his unique voice, is a jewel in concert programmes to this day.  The first and last male performer of the song was Xan Susinskiy himself.  Although the song is about woman's beauty, it is difficult for an ordinary male voice because it requires a very wide range and beautiful colour of sound.  Once, the unforgettable Sara Qadimova undertook to sing the song.  Only Sara xanim and her amazing voice could accomplish this - without microphones or computer technology.

There were other songs too, which were best appreciated when performed by a specific xanende.  For example, the song Sona Bulbullar was performed by other singers before Qadir Rustamov, but most of their performances left listeners indifferent.  However, when the song was performed by Qadir Rustamov with accompaniment by Asland Dadasov's band and mugam during the pause, it immediately found its way to the hearts of listeners.  The singer still performs the song with such temperament and warmth that its popularity endures.

Remembering great singers of this calibre, you inevitably wonder what is to become of our national treasure in the era of 'computer voices' and those who are try to sing folk songs that they cannot handle.  It has to be said that the number of singers without a voice is growing all over the world.  Indeed, it is much easier to use computer technology to make money from show programmes and weddings.

Going back to the talented performers of folk and composed songs, Zohra xanim Rahimova must be remembered for her emotional performance which touched the depths of listeners' souls.  Her performing talent was noticed by Uzeyir Hacibayov, who advised her to join the vocal class at the conservatory.  Her voice, a mezzo-soprano with a broad range, would honour any musical performance in the world.  At home, she was a national favourite.  No one but she could so brilliantly sing Firuza's aria in Uzeyir bey's eponymous opera  - which he never finished.  Recordings of songs and romances which acquired special hue when she performed them are stored in the archives of the State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company.

Azerbaijan is a country of fascinating songs.  We have eternal songs which are rooted in mugam - a genre steeped in centuries-old tradition which is in permanent development.  Talented representatives of the nation's professional music school founded by Uzeyir Hacibayov - Asaf Zeynalli, Sayid Rustamov, Cahangir Cahangirov, Tofiq Quliyev, Safiqa Axundova, Adila Husayinzada, Agabaci Rzayeva, Hokuma Nacafova, Haci Xanmammadov and many others - had a profound influence on the development of the singing and performance of romance in Azerbaijan.  The works they created were successful syntheses of modern rhythms and ethnic melodies and, most importantly, they were based on the diversity and spirit of mugam.  Our songs stir positive emotions in all music lovers because they are melodic.  This is why they find an audience across the globe.  They were warmly welcomed in Norway, where they were performed by People's Artist Siyavus Karimi and Norwegian choirs.  Choirs are much appreciated in Norway and the soothing Azerbaijani melodies won the hearts of audiences there.

Songs which are performed by people with no intimate knowledge of the secrets of mugam, on the other hand, become just a mixture of sounds and have no effect, creating only indifference in the audience.

It can be said with certainty that would-be composers and voiceless singers, whose numbers increase exponentially on TV channels, have literally turned listeners off.  Their songs and performances are mostly simply tiring.  And many cannot even pronounce the lyrics correctly.  At the same time, there is a demand for them:  people invite them to wedding parties and pay a lot of money to do so.

True masters of Azerbaijani music were almost always close to their people.  People's Artist Alibaba Mammadov, an outstanding performer and composer, is an excellent example.  The larger-than-life personality of a luminary of mugam composed more than 100 works which are always in demand.  It is important to note that his works are based on mugam which, because of its beneficial effects, is a remedy of sorts for the soul.  In the past his works, too, were announced as folk songs.  Now the works of the great masters are no longer anonymous.  We know who wrote them.

Not so long time ago, unforgettable masters of Azerbaijani music - Xan Susinskiy, Sayid Susinskiy, Abulfat Aliyev, Sovkat Alakbarova, Sara Qadimova, Tukazban Ismayilova, Mutallim Mutallimov and others - did not use microphones when they performed at the Philharmonia.  Microphones were not installed on the outdoor stage there either.  Simply, they were real singers, with voices of beautiful colour and wide range.

Concerts by singers at the Azerbaijani State Philharmonial were always sold out.  Connoisseurs of mugam and lovers of music used to gather after the concert in the garden in front of the Philharmonia and shared their impressions.

The mugam contests which have been organized in recent years on the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Fund help to discover truly talented performers.  The winners and participants in these festivals are already having their say and establishing themselves as artists.  And this is a great joy.  Because Azerbaijani music, based on the strong foundation of mugam, is a symbol of immortality.