Azerbaijani Music
Azerbaijan has a long history of music and dance. This goes to several thousands years ago. From the archeological evidences found in West Azerbaijan province which dates back to the second millennium B.C. we can see the musician carved in stone who plays an instrument very similar to modern “Qopuz” which is a widely known instrument in Azerbaijan and other areas inhabited by Turkic people.
Ashiqs playing Qopuz
Qopuz
The thousands years old figures in “Qobustan” illustrates a traditional version of the Azerbaijani “Yalli” dance.
Here our aim is to briefly introduce some of the groups or individuals which has key roles in maintaining and preserving our musical heritage in the Greater Azerbaijan Province. You will also find video clips of some of their performances.
We are proud of them
HARAY
Azerbaijani Folk Instruments Ensemble
Haray is one of the best known music ensembles in Tabriz. The group has enormous capacity and knowledge about the Azerbaijani Folk and Classical music. Many talented musicians, arrangers and Vocalists are participating in the formation of this dynamic and strong group. Following is the biography of some of the group members and sampled video music from their latest concert.
Yashar Shadpour / Tabriz / 1978
Yashar Shadpour is the technical director of the ensemble. He was born in 1978 in Tabriz. The Kamancha player of ensemble is also the Oboe player of Tabriz Symphonic Orchestra. He is a Kamancha teacher.
Vahid Sadri / Tabriz / 1978
Vahid Sadri was born in 1978 in Tabriz. He learned Qarmon from master Azimzadeh. He is one of the arrangers of pieces. He holds an M.A. in mathematics and teaches at the university. He has worked with many groups.
Mehdi maheri / Tabriz / 1981
The Bass Tar player of the group is Mehdi Maheri. He was born in 1981 in Tabriz. He learned Tar and Bass Tar playing from master Shaterian.
Shahin Madjlesi / Tabriz / 1976
Balaban, one of the most ancient instruments of the world and particularly Turk nations is under the fingers of Shahin Madjlesi. He was born in 1976 in Tabriz. He is also one of the French horn players of Tabriz Symphonic Orchestra. He is Veterinarian
Aydin Namdar / Tabriz / 1984
Aydin Namdar was born in 1984 in Tabriz. He used to play rhythmic instrument, but in the formation process of Haray Ensemble, he changed his instrument to Tutak ( Recorder ). He is the Bassoon player of Tabriz Symphonic Orchestra. He is a Metallurgy Engineer.
Samad Maralbash / Tabriz / 1985
The Clarinet player of the group is Samad Maralbash. He is one of the best students of master Mamaganieh. He is the Clarinet player of Tabriz Symphonic Orchestra. He was born in 1985 in tabriz.
Roshan Dinperest / Urumieh / 1986
Roshan Dinperest was born in 1986 in Urumieh. He is one of most talented piano students of master Pournaseh and Seyfie. He is going to be a physician.
Ali Farrokhi / Tabriz / 1970
The Nagara player of the group is Ali farrokhi. He was born in 1970 in Tabriz. He has learned Nagara from master Farshbaf. He is very well experienced with Drums and rhythmic instruments and has participated in many ensembles in his musical career
Aresh Esmaili / Tabriz / 1981
Ali's music comrade Aresh Esmaili is playing Qosha nagara. He was orn in 1981 in Tabriz. He is the student of master niknafs. He plays Timpani in Tabriz Symphonic Orchestra.
Arash Hadji Ibrahimi / Tabriz / 1980
Arash Hadji Ibrahimi began to learn Tar with master Shaterian, and he changed to Oud with the formation of Haray. He was born in 1980. He teaches tar and is also the French horn player of Tabriz Symphonic Orchestra. He has won many prizes in music competitions. He is a Computer Engineer.
Reza Hosseini / Tabriz / 1979
Reza Hosseini is one of the most experienced players of Azerbaijani Tar. He was born in 1979 in Tabriz and teaches Tar. He has won several prizes in music competitions and is the author of many books and has prepared music CDs specific for children. He holds an M.A. in English literature and teaches at the university.
Morad Kashef / tabriz / 1970
One of the arrangers of Haray Ensemble is Morad Kashef. He is of the most talented students of the master Elhamian. He also plays tar, and Haray Ensemble is fortunate to perform some of his music masterpieces.
Nader Ramdel / Tabriz / 1959
The Vocalist of the group is Nader Ramdel. He was born in 1959 in Tabriz. He has performed in many international festivals. He also knows Azerbaijani dances and is a perfect dancer. With his mimics, voice and colorful personality he very well manages to transfer the group’s spirit and emotions to audiences in a professional manner.
Ramin Ghaznavi / Tabriz / 1969
Ramin Ghaznavi has learned the theory of music from master Farshbaf. He was born in 1969 in Tabriz. He has performed Azerbaijani Moughams ( Muqam ) in some European countries as well. He teaches Mougham. The Mougham segment of Haray’s repertoire is being performed by him with the accompany of Reza (Tar) and Yashar (Kamancha).
Video Clips from 2006 concert, Tabriz:
Hasan Enami
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Azerbaijani Tenor
Hasan Enami was born in 1967 in Tabriz. He started to learn Azerbaijani music, his native language music, when he was in the secondary school. He learned the music theory and solfege with master Farshbaf and Yahya Ismailzade.
He went to Baku ( Republic of Azerbaijan ) in 1994 and entered the vocal division of U.Hadjibeyof Music Academy under the supervision of “Agakerim Kerimov”.
In 1997 he won the first prize in the national vocal competitions and became the second in the international “Bulbul” competitions in the same year and has been selected as the best Tenor.
In 1998 he has been granted the honorable diploma at the international Caykovski competitions in Moscow.
He has been graduated from U.Hadjibeyof Music Academy, under the title of national artist in 2001. He has been a Soloist in Azerbaijan National Opera & Ballet Theatre since. He finally was able to perform in his hometown “Tabriz” in 2005.
Some of his acting roles :
1) Balash in Sevil opera
2) Vaqif in Vagif opera
3) Khasay bey in Natevan opera
4) Vizier in Shah Ismail opera
5) Koroglu in Koroglu opera
6) Alfred in La Traviata opera
7) Rudolf in La Boheme
8) Manrico in Il Trovatore opera
Arrangements :
1) Khose in Carmen opera
2) Duca in Rigoletto opera
3) Cavaradossi in Tosca opera
4) Pinkerton in Madam Butterfly opera
In these years he has participated in various international festivals in Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, U.A.E. and Bolivia.
Followings are sampled video clips from his 2005 concert in Tabriz.
Musicians :
Tar Aliaga Sadiev
Balaban Shirzad Fataliev
Nagara Kamran Kerimov
Pianist Ceyhun Allahverdiyev
Aşıq Mahnısı (Koroğlu)
Sevgili Canan
Əsgərin Mahnısı (Arşın Mal
Alan)
Vadoud Moazzen
- Azerbaijani Mugam Singer
Vadoud Moazzen was born in 1960 in Ardabil. As a youngster, he impressed his teachers and classmates with his amazing display of talent in music and visual arts. A heavenly voice is hereditary in his family; Vadoud has also inherited this beautiful voice. His father, Master Saleem Moazzen Zadeh Ardabili is one of the most prominent religious singers of our times.
Vadoud moved to Tehran after graduating from high school to pursue his studies in art in the school of Decorative Arts of Tehran University. Later, he went to Turkey and attended Mimar Sinan University for a couple of years.
It is the popular belief that every artist has a source of inspiration, which they draw upon in the creative process. Master Vadoud Moazzen is no exception and his source of inspiration is Nature itself. His paintings of various landscapes, flowers, woods, and other natural beauty in his hometown are indicative of his love and passion for nature.
Master Vadoud Moazzen has continued his musical career alongside his painting. He plays many instruments and sings “Azerbaijani Mugams”, the tradition music of Azerbaijan and Folk songs.
To learn about Azerbaijani Mugams you can visit http://www.mugam.com/ingl/inglinfo.htm. ( from ardabil.net )
Some of his paintings :
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