Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Virtuoso singer, the very favorite of the 1970s for all music lovers irrespective of age, turns 70 on February 4.

With his well distinguished sonority and light voice, Polad Bulbuloglu was lucky to gain love of millions in his very young age. His talent erupted inside. As a student, he realized creative inclinations of a musician in himself. By the age of 17, the talented Polad composed several masterpiece works, which are a hit up to date.

He became famous in the whole Soviet Union by composing jazz-influenced pop songs with deep folk feelings in Azerbaijani and Russian.

Methods and motives of the Azerbaijan national music Mugham have always been heard in Polad’s songs. He spared no effort to promote the national music both in the country and abroad.

His musical compositions made a great contribution to modern Azerbaijani music. Polad correctly mixed contemporary rhythms with bright national notes, which became a role model for the next generation of musicians.

Musical works by virtuoso composer blend multiple genres, including large symphonic works, chamber and instrumental music, musical, vocal series, music for movies and drama performances, which entered the history of Azerbaijani music as integral pearls.

Elements of Azerbaijani national music -- Mugham -- have always pleased the ears of his fans, ranging from the Balkans to Central Asia. As a musician he visited more than 70 countries, where he mesmerized the audience with his unusual and bewitching voice.

Polad inherited such a unique timbre from his father, Bul-Bul, the founder of Azerbaijan professional vocal art and great singer loved by all Azerbaijanis, who exposed Polad to musical culture from an early age.

Polad was also extremely talented to enrich the cinematography. His beautiful songs, performances and popular roles in many films turned him into a film star and gained ever large popularity and sympathy among cinema lovers.

Polad is the only Azerbaijani musician who was honored as a star in “Stars Square" in Moscow in 2000.

In the 1990s, despite having a huge success with a new version of his old song “Gel Ey Seher” (Come, Hey Morning!) in Turkey and sold out concerts in Russia, Polad started a political career. He has become the Azerbaijani Culture Minister and is currently the Azerbaijani ambassador to Russia.

Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in Baku will soon please Bakuians and guests to the capital city with a premiere of “Love and Death” ballet on February 3.

The music of the ballet composed by the birthday celebrator can be seen as a true saga and musical paraphrase of eternal life book titled "Dede Gorgud". This is a play about undying love and powerlessness of death before the feats of heroes.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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