Virtuosity, grace on stage at State Philharmonic
By Amina Nazarli
Energy, virtuosity, and original interpretations of folk styles drew in dance lovers to the Muslim Magomayev Azerbaijani State Philharmonic on October 28.
The Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble under the direction of People's Artist, Afag Malikova, presented an incredible show to capital residents, which left none without awe of the dancers’ grace and fluid movements.
The ensemble for many years has pleased the Azerbaijani public with extraordinary performances, loyal to traditions and a rich repertoire, which features something new every time.
The performances of the ensemble have always been held in high regard both in the country and abroad, where dancers acquaint viewers with the specificity and colorfulness of Azerbaijani dances.
The performances of the dancers in bright folk costumes were accompanied by live music and this provided an even greater national atmosphere to the impressive evening.
This time, the dancers presented the audience only with the national folk dances, but their repertoire also featured international dances that they will perform next month.
The event started with a dance to the tune of a music piece "Azerbaijan” by Vugar Jamalzade. Dances alternated from lyrical to dynamic during the show.
The women's dances were more modest, restrained, and men, on the contrary, were dynamic and rhythmic. The audience could not catch its breath.
The main feature of the national folk dance is expression. And the dancers performed each dance with love and care, coloring every movement with a particular mood, and revealing the idea of the dances.
The concert lasted for an hour and a half, and was held without intermission. But, the dancers did not feel the slightest fatigue, it seemed as if they could continue dancing until the morning.
At the event, the collective performed all of its famous dances including “Naz eleme”, “Lyric dance”, “Mezeli”, “Gazakhi”, “Vagzali”, “Karabakh”, “Nelbeki”, “Igidler”, “Uzundere”, a women’s dance from “Koroglu” opera and others.
The solemn final chord of the concert was the "Odlar yurdu" dance composed by the outstanding Eldar Mansurov, when the collective went on stage in its entirety.
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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @amina_nazarli
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