A concert to mark Victory Day and the State Flag Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held at the National music and drama theatre named after Magtymguly in Ashgabat. Addressing the audience, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan Gismat Gozalov noted that the national holiday, Victory Day, symbolises sovereignty and national unity of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are two friendly states with a common history, culture and spiritual values. And as if to confirm these words, the «Potpourri – a bouquet of fraternal melodies» was performed by the orchestra of Rovshen Nepesov. The music contained motifs of our composers, familiar to Turkmen listeners, and the unique, distinctive melodies of Azerbaijani musical culture. Works by Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Kara Karayev, Danatar Hydyrov, Fikret Amirov and other composers were also performed.
Honoured artist of Azerbaijan Illaha Efendiyeva, People's Artist of Turkmenistan Atajan Berdiyev, and laureate of the State Prize «Türkmeniň Altyn asyry» Begench Moshiyev presented the audience with beloved, time-tested hits such as «Violets» by Polad Bul-Bul oglu, «Blue eternity» by Muslim Magamayev, the duet of Asker and Gulchehra from operetta of Gajibekov «Arshin mal alan», «Turkmen steppe» by Nury Halmammedov, and others.
The music for the Azerbaijani folk dance «Uzun-dere» was masterfully performed by the outstanding clarinetist of Turkmenistan, Nariman Huseynov. The orchestra performed the Azerbaijani folk melody «Azerbaijan’s Maral» arranged by Rovshen Nepesov, for which the honoured cultural figure received a prize at the 5 New York composers festival in September of this year.
There were some surprises, too. The first was a performance of «Waltz» of Tofik Kuliyev by Geldi Gatyyev, an 8-year-old student of Ashgabat music school № 3. Despite his young age, the composer and pianist performed with great confidence on stage. And there is an explanation for this: this is the 11th appearance of Geldi on the Big stage. The audience gave a very warm welcome to the performance of the young talent.
The second surprise was the public premiere of «Baku tango», which Rovshen Nepesov wrote while attending a meeting of composers from Turkic-speaking countries in Baku in September of this year. Inspired by the impulsive rhythm of Bakuvian life, the responsiveness of its people, and the vibrant beauty of nature, Rovshen Nepesov created «Baku tango» as a gift to his fraternal nation.
The audience gathered in the hall on the occasion of Victory Day and the Day of the State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan, among whom were employees of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Turkmenistan, were fortunate to be the first to listen to the sparkling sound of «Baku tango».
