Folk singer Alim Gasimov performs in Gabala
By Nazrin Gadimova
Azerbaijani mugham (folk music) singer Alim Gasimov and his daughter Fargana Gasimova gave a concert in the city of Gabala on August 9.
Audience greeted with applause each performance of the artist. The renowned singer's performance was accompanied by the Iranian musical group. A brilliant performance in duet of the father and daughter delighted the audience very much.
After the concert Alim Gasimov have photographed with fans of his talent and gave autographs.
The concert has been scheduled for August 3 as part of the festival, which is currently underway and will run until August 17
Alim Gasimov and his daughter with the Iranian band will also perform at a concert to be held within the 49th International Festival of Carthage in Tunisia early next month.
Alim Gasimov is a prominent mugham singer, who is titled a "Living National Treasure" of Azerbaijan. He has been passionate about mugham since early childhood, but initially Gasimov sang mugham merely for his own enjoyment.
Gasimov perceives and presents mugham not only as an ancient art and a part of Azerbaijan's musical and cultural heritage but also as a constantly developing tradition. His performing style is unique, as it combines deep knowledge of centuries-old rules of mugham with challenging innovations. It is distinguished by extreme intensity, which mesmerizes audiences.
Gasimov, 55, was awarded the International Music Council-UNESCO Music Prize in 1999. He is also a master of the ancient Ashig folk art.
Recently, he was a participant of the Silk Road Project initiated by prominent cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and took part in the Silk Road Ensemble consisting of the leading musicians of the world. Since 1989, he is a soloist of Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. On the opera stage, he has played the roles of Majnun and Ashig Garib.
In addition to performing with the Silk Road Ensemble, Gasimov performs with the Kronos Quartet as part of his collaboration with the Aga Khan Music Initiative in Central Asia.
In 2010, Gasimov recorded the song titled "I'm your Goddess" with world-famous French DJ David Vendetta. Oriental tunes mixed with modern techno music are harmoniously combined in the song.
Alim Gasimov and Fargana Gasimova have already been to Poland to give a concert, which took place on June 25-30. The tickets were sold out for their concert, which was held within the European Stadium of Culture 2013 festival.