Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

Numerous music lovers have gotten together at the Heydar Aliyev Palace for a live concert from one of the most successful kamancha players Mark Eliyahu.

The worldwide famous Israeli musician performed for the very first time in Baku on May 25.

The spectacular concert was co-organized by the United Cultures organization and 124 Studios.

"Let It Go" was a special show that combined antique instruments such as kamancha and tar, as well as modern arrangements and electronics. At the concert, the musician brilliantly performed all his famous compositions, as well as several new ones written especially for the evening.

The Israeli musician performed a duet with a soloist of Azerbaijan State Television, a mugham singer and honored artist Beyimkhanim Veliyeva. They presented a song "Do You Remember" written on the lyrics of one of the most popular poems of the Turkic-speaking world, "Counting Stars" by Mohammad-Hossein Shahriyar.

The virtuoso musician created a truly memorable atmosphere at the concert. His magnificent performance immersed the listeners in the wonderful world of music.

Eliyahu was born in 1982 in Dagestan, Russia. He emigrated to Israel with his parents in 1989. Mark Eliyahu inherited his musical talent from his family.

"All members of my family are musicians. My father, Peretz Eliyahu was a tar player, while my grandfather was a kamancha player, and all these instruments have been a part of my life since I was born. From 4 years old I studied violin, and when I was 16 years old, I left home and went on a world tour in search of myself and my music," the musician said.

His real ascent in music began when he heard the performance of a prominent Azerbaijani kamancha player Habil Aliyev. At the age of 16, he was inspired by Aliyev's performance and moved to Baku to learn playing kamancha under guidance of Adalat Vazirov.

"Since then I have decided for myself that I will link my fate with this amazing and sensual instrument and Azerbaijani art. I found what I was looking for and decided to come to Baku. For two years I lived there and learned to play kamancha with an outstanding master Adalat Vezirov, became part of his family. He treated me like a son and I learned all the greatness and beauty of Azerbaijani traditions," said Eliyahu.

In Baku, Mark met with Habil Aliyev, who even presented his kamancha to the young talent.

"It was an unforgettable moment that I will remember all my life - I was in the seventh heaven. Just imagine that such a great master gives his musical instrument to me, then young and unknown! This was the best gift in my life!" he said.

In his virtuoso performance, Mark Eliyahu presents to modern music lovers the pearls and depth of Turkish, Arabic, Iranian and especially Azerbaijani music - mugham.

"Azerbaijani mugham is a great music of the heart and soul, something outside of this world and very close to you at the same time. All thoughts and philosophy can be transmitted only through music, and not everyone is able to fit all the greatness and richness of mugham," he said.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.az, Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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