Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Globally known Azerbaijani folk singer Alim Gasimov will deliver concerts in France and Turkey.

Gasimov will be accompanied by his daughter, Honorary Artist Fargana Gasimova, as well as Rauf Islamov playing kamancha (stringed musical instrument), Zeki Veliyev on tar (stringed instrument) and Rafael Isgandarov (percussion), at the concerts, which are scheduled for September 15 and September 25.

The concerts will be organized with the support of the International Foundation, which aims to promote folk arts all over the world.

Earlier this summer, Gasimov performed Azerbaijani mugham at the European Stadium of Culture festival in Poland, the 49th International Festival of Carthage in Tunisia and in Gabala city, an Azerbaijani cultural center.

Having gained popularity in his home country, Gasimov is also known well abroad, promoting Azerbaijani folk music and gathering a lot of music lovers.

The prominent mugham singer was titled "Living National Treasure" of Azerbaijan for his captivating and mysterious voice. Passionate about mugham since early childhood, initially Gasimov sang mugham for his own enjoyment. To date, he has recorded eight albums.

Azerbaijan's traditional folk music, mugham, began to enter world cultural heritage at the beginning of the last century. In 2003, UNESCO recognized mugham as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Notwithstanding traditionality of the music, Gasimov breaks the boundaries and believes that mugham should be free.

His performing style is unique: it combines deep knowledge of centuries-old rules of mugham with challenging innovations.

Gasimov perceives and presents mugham not only as an ancient art but also as a constantly developing tradition.

In 1999 he was awarded the International Music Council-UNESCO Music Prize. Gasimov is also a master of the ancient Ashig folk art.

Since 1989, he has been 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 2009, he was included in a list of 500 most influential Muslims.

In 2010, Gasimov recorded the song titled "I'm your Goddess" with world-famous French DJ David Vendetta, which became popular all over the world. The song harmoniously mixed Oriental tunes with modern techno music.

The mugham was also included in Azerbaijan's song at Eurovision 2012, which Gasimov performed with Sabina Babayeva. According Gasimov, it was an unexpected decision.

"This is the fate of mugham," Gasimov said.