"I AM A MAN OF THE WORLD"

When she was 15, young Azerbaijani violinist Farida Rustamova visited the German city of Karlsruhe to discover her inner world and reveal the secrets of the vast ocean of world classical music. Why Germany? The answer is simple. After all, it is the birthplace of the most famous musicians such as Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann. It has been considered the centre of music and important events that gathered around itself thousands of talents from all countries and continents.

The goal was obvious: to make a significant contribution in this treasure of musical notes and sounds. That’s how Farida entered the Karlsruhe Conservatoire in Germany and became the student of Professor N. Erlich. In a few years, she has accomplished a successful career and international recognition, became the winner of the State Rising Star program. Laureate of international competitions, winner of prestigious music awards, accompanist of the Land of Fire Orchestra youth chamber orchestra, musician of the Heidelberg Opera House, Farida Rustamova, does not stop there, but quite the contrary continues to win new hearts by creating covers for contemporary pop music. She is a versatile person! This predetermines and makes the life of a young violinist interesting and dynamic. The sparkle that can be seen in her eyes and endless love for her historical homeland, for everything around her are a manifestation of her deep faith and hope in the future of music and all mankind. Our conversation with Farida was so intense and interesting that it seemed like an instant passed since we began...

"What were your first steps in music?"

"It all began with my parents, to whom I am immensely grateful. My father is a professional musician. My mother is a doctor of philosophy in philology and has a refined musical taste as well. They both inculcated deep love for music in me."

"In 1999 you performed in Baku at the first concert with Mstislav Rostropovich. How did you feel at that moment?"

"It was a moment of great joy and, surprisingly, not a bit of anxiousness. I perfectly knew that I was playing for the great musician. You begin to understand the seriousness of the event when you grow older. You begin to take responsibility for every step you take and fight your emotions."

"At one point in life you found yourself in Germany. What difficulties did you have in terms of your personal and creative development there?"

"I had many difficulties, including linguistic, moral, and financial. In principle, like all people who find themselves in a new environment. It is not easy to get appreciation, to be invited and awarded with honorary prizes in another country. In addition to music, I am also proud to be the laureate of awards for my social and cultural contributions. Despite my young age, people still turn to me for advice, as they are interested in my opinion on various issues. This helps me become even stronger and encouraged to move forward."

"Is it true that one of the reasons why you moved to Europe was that you didn’t want to rely on the eminence of the Rustamovs family but wanted to achieve professional success on your own?"

"It is partially true. My main wish was to get a versatile education and to learn languages. Germany is the most demanded of all European countries in the field of higher music education and classical music. Students from all over the world literally come here. There are many opportunities for creative development, gaining rich experience, which is very important for all-round enrichment."

"One German article about you writes that you are a "rising star" of the conservatoires of Karlsruhe, Freiburg and Stuttgart. What does connect you to each of these cities?"

"Rising Star is a state program of the state of Baden-Württemberg supporting the most talented students. The members of the committee made up of professors from the conservatoires of Karlsruhe, Freiburg and Stuttgart, and the council (sponsors, press, television, managers, politicians) elect one conservatoire representative. It must be a graduate or doctoral student with a successful career and international recognition. According to the terms of the program, three concerts are organised for the selected student: solo, chamber and with a symphony orchestra, the last of which is broadcast on the radio. I was lucky enough to become a rising star as well. In my  concerts, I played together with a pianist from Freiburg and an accordionist from Stuttgart. It was a great honour and great responsibility to perform at such a level. The concert was broadcast on German radio SWR2."

“Your collaboration with the Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Siegfried was remarkable…”

"In 2017, conductor Siegfried Westphal invited me to perform three times with a concert by Jan Sibelius on famous stages in Germany. I was accompanied by the youth symphony orchestra. This is perhaps the most memorable phase of my work with the orchestra. It was a very interesting and pleasant experience for me."

"Since 2019, you have been leading the Land of Fire Orchestra chamber orchestra, which includes Azerbaijani musicians living in Germany. What is the main idea behind creating an orchestra?"

"In 2018, I performed at a concert in Stuttgart, which was attended by famous representatives of the German society, including politicians, public figures, athletes, etc. Among the guests was the honorary consul of Azerbaijan in Germany Otto Hauser, who was impressed by my performance. After the concert, he came up with the idea of creating an orchestra. He asked me if I could put together the team and take on the duties of accompanist. I called my fellow compatriots living in Germany or studying here, organised the team, collected notes, made a program, and in 2019 our chamber orchestra Land of Fire Orchestra was established. This initiative was also approved by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation."

"What were your achievements over this period?"

"In December 2019, we gave our first concert in Reithhall, Stuttgart. The event was attended by the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Germany Ramin Hasanov, member of the Landtag Friedlinde Gurr-Hirsch, chairman of the Alliance of Azerbaijanis in Germany Yashar Musayev, director of the representative office of Toto-Lotto GmbH in Stuttgart Georg Wacker, representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to Germany, and other distinguished guests. Our repertoire is wide enough  from Vivaldi to all Azerbaijani composers. While composing the program of the concert, we wanted to show that we can perform both works of Azerbaijani authors and world classics. In addition, such concerts create an opportunity for cultural exchange and strengthening bridges of friendship between peoples.

“The debut concert featured works by such Azerbaijani composers as Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Gara Garayev, Said Rustamov and Agshin Alizade. For the first time I performed the songs of my grandfather Said Rustamov on the violin and orchestra. We also played the selected works of Mozart and Beethoven. When began to play the Ode to Joy by Beethoven, the whole audience stood up and listened to the piece standing. We were incredibly pleased to see such a warm reaction from the German public.

“The debut was successful. We plan to take part in official events of the embassy and honorary consulate of Azerbaijan in Germany. This initiative will undoubtedly play an important role in promoting world classical music and works of Azerbaijani composers on a global scale. I remember how warmly the German public reacted to the speech of our honorary consul Otto Hauser, delivered by him at this concert, when he introduced his compatriots to the rich Azerbaijani culture and talked about Azerbaijan.”

"Your grandfather is a famous composer, People's Artist of Azerbaijan Said Rustamov. He would be proud of your success! Do you plan to compose something of your own, same as your grandfather?"

"It is a special honour for me to perform the works of my grandfather. I pay special attention to improvisation based on well-known motives. I get incredible pleasure interpreting his works and giving them a new breath. But so far, I am not thinking about composing my own works. My cooperation with other composers, work, new emotions from common work: this is what inspires me and gives me a positive attitude."

"Along with your teacher Zahra Guliyeva, do you cooperate with local musicians?"

"I respect my compatriots and talented musicians, I love to work with them. I keep in touch with classmates from the Bulbul School and my teachers. In the future, I plan to invite many of our musicians as guests and soloists to concerts or any projects. For example, Mustafa Mehmandarov, Fuad Ibrahimov. I would also like to note Farhad Badalbeyli, Murad Adigozalzade, whom I love and will never cease to admire their work. These hardworking musicians have long become role models for me."

"In one of your interviews, you said that after graduation you plan to move to Baku in order to pass on your knowledge to the future generation. Have your plans changed in this regard?"

"I really love teaching. With my diploma I already can obtain the title of professor. I receive invitations every year to visit the Stuttgart Conservatoire, Karlsruhe as a guest junior professor. I already held a series of master-classes at the Tashkent Conservatoire, Uzbekistan. They were very successful. As for the choice of the country for residence, this question is still open. I am a man of the world. I will choose a country according to the period of my stay in it, my plans and projects."

“Apart from master classes, you also remember Tashkent for receiving the Grand Prix of the Global Musigi Partnership-2019..."

"I visited Uzbekistan with great pleasure in December 2019, where the concert of the laureates of the competition. I performed with the State Symphony Orchestra in the Turkestan Hall. The event was followed by an honorary award ceremony. I was awarded the Grand Prix of the competition. A very warm country and hospitable people. It's nice that Uzbekistan speaks very friendly and lovingly about our people."

"On the one hand, you are a representative of the classical school of music, on the other, you are a modern performer of covers to the music of Dua Lipa or Tones and I. How do you manage to please both sides?"

"You are right. I am fond of both classical and pop music. I belong to the modern young generation. Therefore, I try to keep up with the times and listen to high-quality pop music, which I enjoy. Unfortunately, classical musicians are often conservative, straightforward and subjective thinking. As we feel the need for air, I often feel the need the lightness and avant-garde of pop music. By the way, it is much easier to reach modern youth, to be closer to them through the classical performance of pop music, or the fusion of classical music with modern music. I often attract many young people precisely with pop music. After they get to know me better, they often begin visiting my classical concerts out of curiosity. Believe it or not, they then begin to show sympathy for the genre. It's very nice to see that (laughs)."

"Music cannot think, but it can symbolise thoughts. What ideas does your music symbolise?"

"The starting point for me is reflected in the idea that the composer put into the foundation of its work. After all, what is most important is what we want to convey through our creations. Describing my performance with the orchestra, Dr. Jötker Halle wrote that she never heard narcissism or self-presentation in my performance. Everything - both musicality and technique - were aimed primarily at conveying the author's idea to the audience."

“German media also reported about your activities. I think this is not your first appearance on the screens of local TV channels...”

"That’s true, I often receive invitations to be a guest on European programs and TV shows. I really like to appear on television and communicate with people."

"It seems you are always positive with your sunny mood and bright energy..."

"A simple law of life teaches us that it is our thoughts that govern us and our destiny, creating today's reality. We have very little time and we want to receive and share the common good. I share positive emotions and get them back in piles. I enjoy life and little things. It's no secret that any person wants to be understood and loved. I respect everyone, because I understand that everyone has his own experience, his difficulties, with which he endlessly struggles. I treat even evil and harmful people with understanding, as it is not easy for them either. But I do not allow anyone offend me."

"French writer Jean Cocteau said: “Virtuosos do not serve music. They make it serve them." Did you manage to make music serve you?"

"What a wonderful phrase! Thanks to my wonderful school and my teachers Ilhama Aghayeva, the late Bayandur Mehtdyev, Zahra Guliyeva and my teachers in Germany, especially Joseph Rissin, I can say that there are no technical difficulties for me. I am absolutely comfortable with the instrument and technique, I feel confident playing whatever I want. This is a great luxury that opens up all the possibilities for me."

"What you and your music feel during the periods of stagnation, such as this pandemic!?".

"We never stop... (smiles). During the lockdown, I was able to make several video clips, was busy preparing and implementing new projects. The music world in Germany is gradually moving away from the crisis. Open-air concerts are held with a small cast and number of visitors. Fortunately, everything is heading towards a successful recovery."

"What do you plan to do at your next visits to Baku after the pandemic?"

"Concerts. I want to see and please everyone with beautiful music. I wish your readers good health, take care of yourself! We can handle it! Many thanks to you for the pleasant, albeit virtual, conversation."