Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Baku has paid tribute to the famous and beloved singer Muslim Magomayev on his 72nd birthday anniversary.

Prominent public figures and members of families and friends of the singer came together in Baku's Alley of Honor.

Baku was a special city for Magomayev where he was born and spent his childhood and adolescence. He celebrated most of his birthday anniversaries in his lovely city.

"He used to come to Baku every year on August 17 as a matter of law," the prominent film director Eldar Guliyev said at the ceremony.

Sharing memories of Magomayev, he noted that the legendary musician sang with his soul.

Chairman of Artists' Union, Farhad Khalilov also spoke about the great singer saying: "As long as we remember Muslim Magomayev, talking about him, he's alive, he's with us. And he well be always remembered, even after us."

"His voice, his music will sound forever," he added.

The widow of the artist, Tamara Sinyavskaya expressed appreciation to all who came and paid tribute to Muslim Magomayev.

"Music of Muslim Magomayev is a reflection of his soul and inner world. He was very kind, intelligent and an honorable man," Sinyavskaya said.

She noted that there is much to say about the great singer who left an indelible sign in the world of music.

"The inner world of the singer was reflected in his songs and he shared with others what was going on in his mind," she stressed.

Prominent opera and pop singer, the "Soviet Sinatra", Muslim Magomayev was the grandson of a renowned composer in Azerbaijan. Young Magomayev followed his footsteps by pursuing a music career. He studied singing and playing piano at the Baku Conservatory of Music.

Magomayev became famous around the USSR at the age of 19 after a stellar performance at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow. Later, he became known in Europe after a successful performance at the Youth Festival in Helsinki, Finland.

During the mid-1960s, he perfected his vocals skills and took trainings in the La Scala Opera Theater in Milan.

The study in Italy was highly beneficial for young singer and also affected his inner world. Magomayev remained among the main supporter of the Italian school of singing through his life.

Magomayev splendidly sang the leading arias of Figaro, Scarpia, Mephisto, Onegin. However, his success in popular music interfered with his opera career.

He was the winner of the International Song Competition in Sopot, Poland and also won the first "Golden Disc" at the Cannes Music Festival with 4.5 million of his records sold that year in 1969.

At age of 30, Magomayev was one of the youngest recipients of the highest artistic title, People's Artist of the USSR. He also received numerous awards for his contribution to opera and popular music in the Soviet Union.

Magomayev died of a heart failure in Moscow on October 25, 2008 and was laid to rest in Baku.

Baku and Moscow were native cities for Magomayev, where he spent many happy years of his life. Some traditional music festivals to commemorate the brilliant singer are held annually in these cities.