| Niyazi Hajibeyov Niyazi Hacıbəyov |
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|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Maestro Niyazi |
| Born | August 20, 1912 |
| Origin | Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Died | August 2, 1984 (aged 71) |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupations | Composer, conductor |
| Years active | 46 years |
| Associated acts | "Rast" symphonic mugam |
Niyazi Zulfigar oglu Tagizade Hajibeyov (Azerbaijani: Niyazi Zülfiqar oğlu Hacıbəyov) (1912–1984) was a prominent Soviet Azerbaijani musical conductor, composer, author of the famous "Rast" symphonic mugam.
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Niyazi was born on August 20, 1912 in Tbilisi in a family of prominent Shusha musicians.[1] His father was the composer Zulfugar Hajibeyov, brother of Uzeyir Hajibeyov, the founder of the Azeri classical music. He was playing the violin in "Qırmızı Kadet" Turkish military orchestra in 1921. Years of 1925-1926 he was spending in Qnesin's Music School (Russia). In 1929-30 he was studying in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) in Central Musical Technical School, but he didn't finish that school due to his health problems. He came back to Baku in 1931. Right after that he was sent to Dagestan where he met his future wife Həchər khanum. The family of Hecher khanum wouldn't get they blessing for her marriage. So she and Niyazi decided to run away and get married secretly. They lived happy but hard life. The great love of his wife gave him strengths to produce most of his masterpieces, which contributed to Azerbaijan's and Worlds musical treasury.
Niyazi conducted the symphonic orchestras in Prague, Berlin, Budapest, Bucharest, New York, Paris, Istanbul, London, Tehran, Beijing and Ulan-Bator and played an important role in making the Azeri classical music known to the world.
Niyazi was also a talented composer. Building upon the traditions of Uzeyir Hajibeyov, he splendidly synthesized the traditional Azeri folk songs and mugam with the classical symphonic music. Niyazi's most significant works include opera "Khosrow and Shirin" (1942), ballet "Chitra" (1960). His symphonic mugam "Rast" achieved worldwide popularity and was included to the repertoire of many symphonic orchestras around the world.
Niyazi also headed the Azerbaijan symphonic orchestra for 46 years, from 1938 to the end of his life. He died on August 2, 1984.[1]
Niyazi was honored as People's Artist of the USSR (1959) and awarded the USSR State Prize (1951, 1952) and highest title of the USSR, the Hero of Labor (1982).