Azernews.Az

Heydar Aliyev Palace in Baku will host a concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the prominent musician, clarinetist-saxophonist, conductor, composer, and People's Artist of Azerbaijan Tofig Ahmadov on December 24, Azernews reports.

The concert program will feature the Estrada-Symphonic Orchestra of the Rashid Behbudov Azerbaijan State Song Theater as well as People's Artists Natavan Sheikhova, Anvar Sadigov and his ensemble "Qaytağı", Salman Gambarov and his music band "Bakustic Jazz", popular singers like Ilhama Huseynova, Aynur Iskandarli, Nigar Jalilova, and Rovshan Gahramanov.

The anniversary evening will cover all aspects of Tofig Ahmadov's creativity, with performances of both his famous works and lesser-known compositions that will be performed for the first time in many years.

Beloved pieces by great Azerbaijani composers such as Uzeyir Hajibayli, Niyazi, Fikrat Amirov, Gara Garayev, Tofig Guliyev, Rauf Gajiyev, and Emin Sabitoglu will be also presented in interesting arrangements.

Tickets can be purchased at all ticket offices in the city and online via the link.

Tofig Ahmadov was born on February 8, 1924, in Baku. In 1941, he was invited to the newly formed Estrada-Symphonic Orchestra as a clarinetist and saxophonist, led by composer Tofig Guliyev. From 1942 to 1945, he performed with the variety ensemble of the Caspian Fleet. Ahmadov graduated in 1952 from the Azerbaijan State Conservatory, specializing in clarinet within the brass department. The following year, he moved to Moscow, where he joined Edi Rosner's variety orchestra, serving as the concertmaster for four years. In 1957, Ahmadov returned to Baku, where he founded the variety orchestra "We Are From Baku," which he led until 1961.

In 1952, he graduated with a specialty in clarinet from the Azerbaijan State Conservatoire. In 1953, he was invited to the estrada orchestra led by Eddie Rosner in Moscow, where he served as the lead performer for four years. Ahmadov returned to Baku in 1957 and created the estrada orchestra "We are from Baku," which he led until 1961.

Tofig Ahmadov worked as a performer, conductor, composer, and organizer of musical events. As a composer, he produced numerous songs and orchestral works. He collaborated with poets such as Famil Mehdi, Fikrat Goja, Tofig Mutallibov, Rafiq Zyaka Khendan, and Nusrat Kesemenli, among others.

From 1960 to 1981, he served as the director and chief conductor of the Estrada Orchestra of Azerbaijan Radio. Initially a brass big band, it later added string instruments, becoming an estrada-symphonic orchestra.

This ensemble featured prominent artists like Muslim Magomayev, Shovkat Alakbarova, Gyulagha Mammadov, Lutfiyar Imanov, Rauf Atakishiyev, Natavan Sheikhova, Ilhama Guliyeva, Rauf Adigozalov, Mobil Ahmadov, Zuleykha Mirismailova, Yalchin Rzazade, Mubariz Taghiyev, Akif Islamzade, Flora Karimova, Elvira Ragimova, and others.

The orchestra performed works by Rauf Hajiyev, Said Rustamov, Jahangir Jahangirov, Vasif Adigozalov, Ramiz Mustafayev, Khayyam Mirzazade, Aziz Azizov, Ogtay Kazimi, Ramiz Mirishli, Javanshir Guliyev, Mobil Babayev, Faig Sudjaddinov, Eldar Mansurov, Ogtay Rajabov, Musa Mirzayev, Ruhangiz Hasanova, and others.

He remained the artistic director and chief conductor of this ensemble until the end of his life on March 23, 1981.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.