Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Azerbaijan

Birth

:

November 22, 1922 in Gyandzha

Death

:

February 20, 1984 in Baku, Azerbaijan

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Fikret Amirov was a prominent Azerbaijani composer who was born on November 22, 1922, in Ganja, Azerbaijan. He was born into a family of musicians, and his father, a professional musician, played a significant role in his early musical education. Amirov began his musical studies at the age of seven, and by the age of 12, he had already composed his first piece of music. Amirov's musical education continued at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory, where he studied composition under the tutelage of Boris Zeidman. He graduated from the conservatory in 1941 and went on to become a professor of composition at the same institution. Amirov's early works were heavily influenced by the folk music of Azerbaijan, and he was particularly interested in the mugham, a traditional Azerbaijani musical form. Amirov's first major work was his Symphony in C Major, which he composed in 1947. The symphony was well-received and helped establish Amirov as a significant figure in Azerbaijani classical music. In the years that followed, Amirov continued to compose works that were inspired by Azerbaijani folk music, including his ballets, "1001 Nights" and "The Arabian Nights." One of Amirov's most famous works is his "Shur" mugham, which he composed in 1952. The piece is based on the Shur mugham, a traditional Azerbaijani melody, and is considered one of the most significant works in Azerbaijani classical music. The "Shur" mugham has been performed by numerous orchestras and soloists around the world and has become a symbol of Azerbaijani culture. Amirov's other notable works include his "Gulustan" concerto for balaban and orchestra, which he composed in 1965. The balaban is a traditional Azerbaijani wind instrument, and Amirov's concerto is one of the few works in classical music that features the instrument as a soloist. The concerto has been performed by numerous balaban players and has become a staple of Azerbaijani classical music. Amirov's music was not only influenced by Azerbaijani folk music but also by the music of other cultures. He was particularly interested in the music of the Middle East and Central Asia and incorporated elements of these musical traditions into his compositions. Amirov's music was also influenced by Western classical music, and he was known for his use of modern compositional techniques. Throughout his career, Amirov received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to Azerbaijani classical music. He was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1965 and was also awarded the Order of Lenin, the highest civilian honor in the Soviet Union. In 1982, he was awarded the State Prize of the Azerbaijan SSR for his contributions to Azerbaijani classical music. Amirov continued to compose music until his death on February 20, 1984. His legacy lives on through his compositions, which continue to be performed by orchestras and soloists around the world. Amirov's music has become a symbol of Azerbaijani culture and has helped to promote the country's rich musical heritage to audiences around the world.

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