AZERBAIJAN • ALIM QÂSIMOV

The mugham, the classical music of Azerbaijan, holds pride of place among the oriental music for its beauty, its power of expression and its extraordinary vitality. Although this music is monodic and modal, each musician, whether singer, lute (târ) or bowed lute (kemânche) player, enjoys a great freedom of interpretation which provides its special depth. The mugham offers, at one and the same time, outstanding diversity and unity: the alternance of compositions and semi-improvisations, of free and regular rhythms, of joyful and sombre moods, is balanced by the smoothness with which all these elements are linked together without interruption.

Alim Qâsimov is reknowned as the best mugham performer. This album published in 1989 was his first CD.

1. Mugham Chargah

2. Mugham Bayati Shiraz

See also: Alim Qâsimov, vol. 2 W 260015