September 18 - the day of birth of the great Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli is celebrated in our country as the National Music Day.
Uzeyir Hajibeyli is a composer, scientist, writer, publicist, public and political figure, as well as an artist known as the founder of the first opera in the East. Thanks to his selfless work, the history of the Azerbaijani national opera began with the opera "Leyli and Majnun" staged 110 years ago. The first conductor of the opera was Abdurrahim bey Hagverdiyev, the director was Huseyn Arablinsky. Immortal artist Huseyngulu Sarabski played the role of Majnun, and cook Abdurrahim Farajov played the role of Leyli. The first performance was held on January 12, 1908 (25) in Baku at the theater of Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev.
Inspired by the success of the first opera, Uzeyir Bey performed "Sheikh Sanan" (1909), "Rustam and Sohrab" (1910), "Shah Abbas and Khurshidbanu", "Asli and Karam" (1912), "Harun and Leyla" (1915). ) wrote national operas.
The culmination of Uzeyir Hajibeyli's creativity is the opera "Koroglu". "Koroglu" is one of the brightest examples not only in the culture of Azerbaijan, but also among the world operas. The opera "Koroglu" also fascinated the Moscow audience. This huge work, which brought success, was repeatedly shown in the opera and ballet theaters of the former Soviet republics.
The emergence of the first operetta genre in the East is also connected with the name of Uzeyir Hajibeyli. The genius composer's first musical comedy is "Husband and Wife" consisting of three scenes. This work is the first example of musical comedy in Azerbaijan. The first performance of the work was in 1910. H. Sarabski (Marjan bey), A. Agdamski (Minnat khanum) and others performed in the roles.
The author's second musical comedy is "Let it be, let it be". The first performance of the play took place in April 1911 in Baku. Later, the musical comedy was translated into different languages and staged.
The third and last musical comedy of the immortal artist is "Arshin mal alan". The operetta has been translated into about 70 foreign languages and performed in more than 100 theaters. "Arshin mal alan" was screened five times and repeatedly recorded on a gramophone. The first feature film based on this musical comedy was made in 1916. It was a silent film.
Uzeyir Hajibeyli's literary heritage is also very rich and valuable. This unforgettable person, who has served the culture and music of Azerbaijan all his life, has recorded more than 300 folk songs, marches, cantatas, fantasies, songs and romances, chamber and choral works. It is interesting that the anthems of both the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and Soviet Azerbaijan belonged to the great artist. Today, we still sing with love the first anthem that brought freedom to our people after gaining our independence.
Uzeyir Hajibeyli not only composed music, but also prepared various materials to pass on the theoretical foundations of folk music to future generations. His scientific work "Fundamentals of Azerbaijani folk music", published in 1945, is still used as a music textbook as a memento of Uzeyir Hajibeyli's excellent work as a musicologist. This unforgettable person, who has served the culture and music of Azerbaijan all his life, has written and created more than 300 folk songs, anthems, cantatas, fantasies, songs and romances, chamber and choral works. He is a real genius who made a radical turn in Azerbaijani music.
Uzeyir Hajibeyli, whose name we are proud to mention today, is remembered as the creator of the first operas, the first musical comedy and the first examples in a number of other genres in the history of Azerbaijani music, as well as laying the foundations for new development and the national school of composition. His bright memory will live forever in the hearts of his people.