Azerbaijan is currently commemorating the 99th birthday anniversary of Suleyman Alasgarov, an exceptional Azerbaijani composer, professor, and conductor who was also the People’s Artist of Azerbaijan SSR in 1974. He was born on February 22, 1924, in Shusha, the cradle of Azerbaijani culture and the pearl of Karabakh, which has produced many notable figures such as poets Khurshud Banu Natavan, singers Kharrat Gulu, Haji Husnu, Seyid Shushinski, Bulbul, Khan Shushinski, Rashid Behbudov, and composers Uzeyir Hajibayov, Fikrat Amirov, and Niyazi.
In the picture – Azerbaijani composers: Soltan Hajibeyov, Gara Garayev, Bulbul, Said Rustamov, and Suleyman Alasgarov (from left to right)
Suleyman Alasgarov was inspired by Shusha and went on to become a prolific composer of two operas, twelve operettas, numerous symphonic works, cantatas, pieces, and romances. He graduated with honours from Azerbaijan National Conservatory in 1948 before holding the position of Artistic Director of the Committee for Cinematography of the Azerbaijan SSR from 1949 to 1951. He also managed Azerbaijan’s Song and Dance Ensemble from 1951 to 1952 and was Director of the Dance and Song Ensemble of Azerbaijan State Philharmonic named after Muslim Magomayev from 1954 to 1956. He passed away on January 21, 1999, in Baku.
Suleyman Alasgarov later served as Director and conductor of the Azerbaijan State Theater of Musical Comedy for an extended period.
Here are some of the most notable works of Suleyman Alasgarov:
- Operas: “Bahadur and Sona,” “Fading Flowers”
- Operettas: “Ulduz,” “Flower of Love,” “Millionaire’s Beggar Son”
- Symphonic works: “Motherland,” “Bayati Shiraz”
- Cantatas, pieces, and romances: numerous compositions across a range of genres
It’s worth noting that Suleyman Alasgarov was an incredibly prolific composer with a wide body of work beyond these highlights.
Suleyman Alasgarov – Instrumental Mix: