The musical traditions of Azerbaijan are accepted as a vital part of the country’s uniqueness and future development. They are an essential part of Azerbaijani culture and its people. Therefore, specific policies to promote the music industry in Azerbaijan are directed to the development of infrastructure, musical collectives, and concert activities.
There are 16 concert halls in the country, including five philharmonic halls, five concert halls, and six independent groups. Among the leading concert venues is the Azerbaijan State Academy Philharmonic, named after Muslim Magomayev, the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Heydar Aliyev Palace, the International Mugham Centre, the Azerbaijan State Song Theatre, the Azerbaijan State Children’s Philharmonic, and the Ganja State Philharmonic. The state provides support for this infrastructure, repairs, and maintanence of the buildings of these organisations, equipping them with modern technologies, concert and stage equipment. Thus, for example, the building of the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic built back in 1912, based on an organic combination of Italian architectural style and the traditions of oriental architecture, was restored, reconstructed, and provided with the necessary equipment at the level of modern requirements entirely at the expense of the state budget.
The most famous musical groups of the country are the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibayli, the Azerbaijan State Choir Capella, The Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra named after G.Garayev, The Azerbaijan State Piano Trio, The Azerbaijan State String Quartet, The Azerbaijan State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble named after F.Amirov, and The Azerbaijan State Orchestra of Folk Instruments. In addition, enterprises and groups such as the Azerbaijan State Wind Orchestra, Gaya State Ensemble, and Zeynab Khanlarova’s State Ensemble can be mentioned. The state partially finances these musical groups by purchasing professional instruments and stage costumes, fixed wages, providing social support to participants, and so on. An example is the Presidential Order On Strengthening the Social Protection of the Artistic Staff of the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra, named after Uzeyir Hajibayli (№3340 of November 3, 2017).
Various festivals, concerts, anniversary evenings, etc., are regularly held with the participation of music groups and soloists. At the same time, the ensemble and soloists represent Azerbaijani culture at a high level, performing at events and tours abroad. Furthermore, the Ministry for Culture provides serious support to concert-touring and festival-competitive activities of state musical institutions, bands, and outstanding performers both in the country and abroad. It happens mainly within culture days, official events and includes touring concerts, under related programmes and projects, and multilateral and bilateral international treaties.
The number of concerts in 2019 was 1 224, including 573 in philharmonic halls, 347 in concert halls, and 304 by independent groups. Eighty-four thousand people attended the concerts of independent groups. According to statistics, the number of visitors to concert venues was 50 per 1 000 people. The statistic is given for 2019 because the activities of concert halls have been restricted in the quarantine regime.
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