Israeli music lovers discover Azeri composer Kara Karayev

Peter Lyukimson, Israel. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

A joint concert of the well-known Azerbaijani pianist Farhad Badalbeili and the Symphonic Orchestra of Israeli Radio and Television conducted by Dmitry Yablonsky took place in Jerusalem in June.

Musicians played the overture of Nabucco, Verdi’s opera, Gershwin’s piano and orchestra concert, and the suite from the ballet by Kara Karayev – Seven Beauties. According to Israeli musical critics, the concert was a huge success. The orchestra of Israeli radio and TV, which is thought to be one of the best orchestras in the world, was in royal spirits; Yablonsky conducted the concert in one breath; the playing of the Azerbaijani musician captivated experienced Israeli music lovers. After playing Gershwin, the applause continued for so long that musicians had to ask the audience to calm down and let them play more.

However, the culmination of the concert was playing of the suite from Seven Beauties. Music experts said that it was first performance of Kara Karayev’s music in Israel. Previously the Israeli audience has never heard music by the great Azerbaijani composer. It seems the introduction stunned the audience – the applause didn’t stop for 5 minutes, and the audience asked the pianist and the orchestra to give an encore to waltz from the suite.

Farhad Badalbeyli and the other Azerbaijani pianist Murad Adigozalzade will come back to Israel in the middle of July. They will play two concerts on the 16th and 17th of July. The program of concerts includes music by Brahms, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, and Shuman.

The concerts will be a final rehearsal ahead of the visit by Jerusalem Symphonic Orchestra to Baku to the world-famous musical festival Qabala which will take place from the 24th to the 31st of July. Jerusalem Orchestra will take part in the festival for the first time.