Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

A well-attended concert of Azerbaijani music was performed by the students of the course "Azerbaijani Music and Culture" of the Stanford University, which is one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

The students, guided by the course's instructor and the outstanding Kamancha master Imamyar Hasanov, presented Azerbaijani Mughams "Chahargah" and "Heyrati" as well as Azerbaijani folk songs "Gubanin agh almasi", "Sari Gelin" and "Lachin" accompanying on Azerbaijani music instruments Tar, Gaval, Ud, as well as on piano.

Furthermore, famous Azerbaijani Tar master Rufat Hasanov and Mugham singer Sabuhi Ibayev joined the concert via a video broadcast and played with the students various Azerbaijani songs.

The concert was attended by Stanford students, faculty and staff, and had a huge success and received multiple standing ovations.

"Azerbaijani Music and Culture" course has been launched in the Music Department of the Stanford University in April 2013. It is the first course in the history of Stanford fully dedicated to Azerbaijani music and culture.

"We have an interest in increasing our offerings in non-Western music," said Anna Schultz, an assistant professor of music (ethnomusicology). "It's a treat and a privilege to work with a master musician like Imamyar Hasanov, who is at the top of his field. One of the things that is so wonderful about the World Music Festival is the innovative, multimedia approach they take toward presenting music and educating, and that is a phenomenal boon to our students and will really enrich their experience."

During the course, the students have learned much about Azerbaijani culture, especially its rich musical culture, practical and theoretical aspects of Azerbaijani Mughams as well as practiced playing Azerbaijani music in various instruments.

Stanford University, founded in 1885, is recognized as one of the world's leading research and teaching institutions, with one of the most renowned faculties in the nation. Research and teaching stresses interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. Areas of excellence range from the humanities to social sciences to engineering and the sciences. Stanford is located in California's Bay Area, USA, which is one of the most intellectually dynamic and culturally diverse areas of the world.