A concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of the prominent musician, clarinetist-saxophonist, conductor, composer, People’s Artist of Azerbaijan Tofig Akhmedov, organized by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, will take place at the Heydar Aliyev Palace in Baku on December 24 at 19.00.
As Day.Az reports, the concert program will feature the Variety Symphony Orchestra of the Azerbaijan State Song Theater named after Rashid Behbudov, people’s artists Natavan Sheikhova, Enver Sadigov and his ensemble “Gaytagi”, Salman Gambarov and his group Bakustic Jazz, as well as popular performers Ilham Gasimov , Ainur Iskenderli, Nigar Jalilova and Rovshan Gahramanov.
On the anniversary evening, all areas of Tofig Akhmedov’s creativity will be covered – both his famous works and little-known compositions will be performed, which will be performed for the first time in many years. In addition, the favorite works of the great Azerbaijani composers Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Niyazi, Fikret Amirov, Gar Garayev, Tofig Guliyev, Rauf Hajiyev and Emin Sabitoglu will be presented in interesting arrangements.
Tickets can be purchased at all ticket offices in the city and online by following the link:
Tofig Akhmedov was born on February 8, 1924 in Baku. In 1941, as a clarinetist and saxophonist, he was invited to the newly created pop-symphony orchestra, the director and conductor of which was the composer Tofig Kuliev. From 1942 to 1945 he worked in the variety ensemble of the Caspian Fleet. In 1952 he graduated from the clarinet department of the wind department of the Azerbaijan State Conservatory. In 1953, he was invited to join the pop orchestra under the direction of Edi Rosner in Moscow and for four years was the concertmaster of this orchestra. Then the musician returned to Baku in 1957 and created the pop orchestra “We are from Baku,” which he led until 1961.
Tofig Akhmedov worked as a performer, conductor, composer and organizer of musical events. As a composer, he has many songs and works for orchestra. He collaborated with poets such as Famil Mehdi, Fikret Goca, Tofig Mutallibov, Rafig Zyaka Hendan, Nusrat Kesemenli and others.
From 1960 to 1981 he was the director and chief conductor of the Variety Orchestra of Azerbaijan Radio. Initially it was a brass big band, later string instruments were added to it, becoming a pop symphony orchestra. Such famous artists as Muslim Magomayev, Shovket Alekperova, Gulyaga Mamedov, Lutfiyar Imanov, Rauf Atakishiyev, Natavan Sheikhova, Ilham Guliyeva, Rauf Adygezelov, Mobile Akhmedov, Zuleikha Mirismailova, Yalchin Rzazade, Mubariz Tagiyev, Akif Islamzade, Flora performed in this group Kerimova, Elmira Ragimova and others. The orchestra performed works by Rauf Hajiyev, Said Rustamov, Jahangir Jahangirov, Vasif Adigezelov, Ramiz Mustafayev, Khayyam Mirzazadeh, Aziz Azizov, Ogtay Kazimi, Ramiz Mirishli, Javanshir Guliyev, Mobile Babayev, Faig Sujaddinov, Eldar Mansurov, Ogtay Radjabov, Musa Mirzaev, Rukhengiz Gasimova and others. He remained the artistic director and chief conductor of this ensemble until the end of his life.
Tofig Akhmedov died on March 23, 1981.