Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

The Gabala International Music Festival, turning into a pleasant tradition in the musical world, continues to please its fans already for eight years.

The festival, being held in marvelous and landscape corner of Azerbaijan, runs in the country from July 30, bringing together world-renowned musicians.

On the fourth day, local and foreign music fans were pleased with unforgettable moments of the musical night.

A concert of the Cuban band Jovenes Clasikos Del Son was held at the open-air stage in front of the Congress Centre of Heydar Aliyev, mesmerizing everyone with its attractive and thrilling rhythms.

The ensemble was established in 1904, as a traditional instrumental septet. The ensemble, consisting of acoustic bass, Tres, Guitar, Trumpet, Congo, bongolara and singers, presented as a new force in Cuban music. Cuban soloists, using national and contemporary world music, mix salsa, sleep, and other Latin American rhythms on eclectic style.

The grandiose performance of Jovenes Clasikos Del Son, bringing a unique sound, gifted the audience extremely pleasant moments.

Peoples’ Artist Farhad Badalbayli, Rector of Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli said that the festival has already turned into a beautiful tradition.

“The festival is a tool for introducing the country’s music traditions to the world. This year we expect more visitors than in previous years,” Badalbayli said. “This music festival, which features great Azerbaijani and foreign composers’ works, is indicative of the country’s multicultural values. This year top musicians, soloists, and conductors from 12 countries are attending the festival.”

Famous violinist Jeanne Gandel'man noted that the musical festival is holding in very magnificent and beautiful place. “I participate at the Gabala festival for the second year. I love this place. I will definitely come to Gabala as a tourist,” she said.

Winner of many prestigious music competitions, Jeanne noted that the festival was organized at a very high level.

"World-renowned musical figures assembled in Gabala to present a real musical festive for the big audience by their concerts. My friend, one of the directors of the festival Dmitry Yablonsky, invited us here. At first, I had little information about the festival. But taking part in the event last year, I left Azerbaijan with pleasant impressions. This year we accepted the invitation to participate in the festival with great pleasure,” she emphasized.

This year’s edition of the festival brings together world-renowned musicians, art ensembles, soloists and conductors from Azerbaijan and a number of foreign countries.

Till August 5, the festival will be attended by prominent musicians, art ensembles, soloists and conductors from Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, the U.S., Italy, France, Spain, Israel, Lithuania and Cuba.

Launched by Heydar Aliyev Foundation in 2009, Gabala International Music Festival is an annual open-air festival of classical music.

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

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