Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

The solemn opening ceremony of the long awaited 8th International Mstislav Rostropovich Festival was held in Azerbaijan State Philharmonic on May 17.

The festival, which is annually held in the country since 2007 is organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Rostropovich Fund of Cultural and Humanitarian Programs.

The artistic director is Olga Rostropovich, the daughter of Mstislav Rostropovich, who chairs the Mstislav Rostropovich Foundation.

Rostropovich was born in Baku, Azerbaijan during the Soviet Union era in 1927. He was of mostly ethnic Russian ancestry, and his father was partly Polish.

During his life, Rostropovich called himself Bakunian, while Azerbaijan -- his homeland. In this regard, every year many famous performers and orchestras from various countries get together in Baku to demonstrate their talent in the capital’s best concert halls.

As in previous years, music lovers gathered at the hall of the venue long before the concert.

Many famous art and culture figures attended the unforgettable event in order to enjoy the wonderful music party.

Such famous figures as Fatma Abdullazada, manageress of the humanitarian department of the Presidential Administration, Adalat Valiyev, the deputy minister of Culture and Tourism Ministry, Murad Adigezalzada, the director of Azerbaijan State Philharmonic and Russian Ambassador, Vladimir Dorokhin were among them.

Addressing the ceremony Abulfaz Garayev, the culture and tourism minister said “Rostropovich is our countryman... We were always proud of him, and we will be proud forever.

Garayev talked about the great musician’s musical talent and said that he was not only a good musician, but also beautiful person. “All those, who were fortunate to talk with this great musician even for a minute, have kept the fondest memory of him.

Speaking at the ceremony the daughter of the famous musician said that many festivals have been held in the world devoted her father. “However, the first one was held in Baku after seven months of his death,” Olga said.

”My father transferred his love of Baku to the whole of our family: to me and my mother. I love to be in Baku. Now looking at the audience, I see many familiar people, and it means that this festival has its own family. And this makes me happy,”

Then she declared the eighth International Rostropovich Festival opened.

A grandiose performance by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeir Hajibeyli opened the ceremony. Rauf Abdullayev, the artistic director and chief conductor of the orchestra and performers Anton Fershtandt, Nigar Jabiyeva and Aliahmad Ibrahimov gave splendid musical performances to the public.

The composition of famous German composer Carl Orff “Carmina Burana” was performed at the event. The composition, which famed the composer throughout the world mesmerized the public. The festival, which will last until May 24 promises many surprises for music lovers.

On May 19 the Philharmonic will see “Jazz and not only” concert. Young Azerbaijani musicians will give an unforgettable evening in the Mstislav Rostropovich’s house-museum on May 21. On the same day “Pagliacci” opera will be in performance by representatives of the Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Center at the Opera and Ballet Theater in Baku.

“Russian Rising Stars” will perform at the Philharmonic on May 22, while on the next day Luigi Cherubini orchestra, conducted by Riccardo Muti will give a concert at the Heydar Aliyev Palace. The orchestra will also close the festival on May 24.

Rostropovich was internationally recognized as a staunch advocate of human rights, and he was awarded the 1974 Award of the International League of Human Rights.

A five-time Grammy Award winner, he has become one of the West leading conductors.

For 17 seasons, he was the permanent conductor and artistic director of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, which was included in the list of one of the best American orchestras. Rostropovich appeared regularly in the Berlin Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, as well as the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic.

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

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