MIRACLE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

On 25 December Emin Agalarov gave an extraordinary concert with the New Year title of Wonder at the Heydar Aliyev Palace. The young performer's fifth album, on sale in Russia and in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), was presented at the concert.

Emin kicked off preparations for the show back in summer this year. Rehearsals with a choreographer, a vocal teacher and a producer-stage manager and musicians - the results of the hard work have already been seen in Moscow, St Petersburg, Kiev and Yekaterinburg, and now in Baku.

All compositions on the new album Wonder, recorded by Emin in England this year, were performed at the concert. The singer composed most of his new repertoire in partnership with renowned songwriters Paul Barry (the author of a good half of Enrique Iglesias's hits), Jamie Scott, Wayne Hector and others.

Brian Rowling, who is amongst the five most influential British producers and well-known for his cooperation with Lara Fabian, Enrique Iglesias, James Morrison, Cher and many other world-famous stars, produced the record.

Two key songs from the album - entitled Wonder and Obvious - were composed entirely by Emin. By the way, the song Obvious made it into the British hit parade practically immediately on release. "It is our chance to reach beyond our country!" commented the talented Azerbaijani performer and successful businessman on his success.

As he said, "both these tracks are about feelings and emotions for someone you love, about whom you grieve but who is not with you anymore". Melodious, sensual and memorable - these words may apply to all tracks on the Wonder album, whether they are emotional ballads or vigorous dancing compositions. Apart from the new songs, one, Just for One Night, has already had time to take the fancy of listeners to Love Radio and Dfm. Emin also sang some of his old hits, such as Still - the first song the singer composed and performed five years ago.

An audience of all ages came to listen to Emin Agalarov. There were not only youth but also members of older generations that evening at the Heydar Aliyev Palace. Among the audience were the spouse of the outstanding, late singer Muslim Magomayev, Tamara Sinyavskaya, and Emin's spouse - Leyla Aliyeva.

The show in combination with computer effects on the screen in 3D format, created a tremendous atmosphere in the hall. Drops of water were replaced on a huge screen by a hot flame, a candle flame - a fathomless starry sky and soaring eagles, the landscape of a rhythmic megacity - an animation palace from the Bremen musicians.

Emin spoke very often with the audience and with evident pleasure. Patiently distributing autographs and accepting flowers, and after the concert he posed for photographs for a long time with children from his fan club. Here is a man from whom those haughty stars, who deprive their admirers of attention, have to learn!

Prior to singing a cover version of Frank Sinatra's My Way, Emin announced from the stage that he would like to devote the song to one of the most significant persons in his life. On the screen appeared Muslim Magomayev, who sang Dark Blue Eternity. Not a single concert by Agalarov is without it.

It was, perhaps, the most touching moment of the concert. Muslim Magomedovich was one of Emin's teachers, he helped him to improve his mastery. Incidentally, it is no accident that in 2007 the Russian media carried a sensational report - after ten years' of silence Muslim Magomayev returned to the stage to sing a duet with the singer and commercial director of the Crocus Group, Emin Agalarov.

That significant event occurred on 17 September 2007, the legendary singer's birthday. At that time, Muslim Magomayev introduced Emin to the audience as his successor and sang My Way with him. During the performance, there was a symbolic handover of the microphone from the National Artist of the USSR to the talented young singer.

At the Baku concert lyrical blues soon moved on to classical rock'n'roll standards. Emin sang a cover of another favourite singer - Elvis Presley. And the smash hit of the 20th century, Unchained Melody from the film "Ghost. He sang with a rose in his hand and then presented it to Leyla Aliyeva. He sang the well-known composition about love, as always, for her.

At the end of the 90 minute show, Emin pleased the audience with the news that everyone in the hall would be presented with his new album Wonder - an original New Year gift. All proceeds from the concert will go, as earlier, to charity. We should say that for the three concerts that have taken place at various times in Baku, Emin has managed to raise about 250,000 dollars, which were transferred to children's homes in Azerbaijan. Is this not a miracle for the New Year!