Competitors range from Korea to UK
Moscow selected competitors for the 3rd International Muslim Magomayev Vocal Contest on September 16. 15 of the best singers will compete at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow on October 18-19.
Vincenzo De Vivo, a judge of the contest, the art director of the San Carlo Theater, called the Muslim Magomayev contest unique, where competitors should show their talent and skill in performing classical and pop repertoire.
Tamara Sinyavskaya, the head of the judges, a singer and a pedagogue, a People’s Artist of the USSR, the widow of Muslim Magomayev, says that the contest is always a risk: “I wish all competitors luck, so that they would sing and enjoy it. Worry, but it should be productive. You enter a fight on the stage.”
According to Sinyavskaya, there were many bids: “When choosing competitors, we were following the main criterion for an artist: possession of vocal skills, charisma, ability to control the voice. The geography of the contest expands every year.” The first bids for the contest arrived from Abkhazia, UK, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and Croatia. Singers from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine and other countries send their files regularly.
The popularity of the vocal contest grows every year. Its geography ranges from Korea to the UK now. Vestnik Kavkaza has interviewed some competitors.
AYTADZH SHIKHALIZADEH (AZERBAIJAN)
- How did you come up with the idea to take part in the contest?
- The idea came long ago, to be honest. My age would not allow me, because there is such a term as “early” in vocals. Experience is certainly a very important moment. But Azerbaijan is the origin of Muslim Magomayev, he has always been my idol. This year, I have decided to take part in the contest and I was selected.
- What do you plan to perform? Will there be any song?
- Of course. We have a fixed repertoire of Muslim Magomayev. I will sing “Granada” from his repertoire. I really love that ballad, I love it, and the topic. It is my style.
CHRISTINA EZHBA (ABKHAZIA)
- How did you find out about the contest? How did you come up with the idea to take part in it?
- I learned about the contest from a friend, she works at a concert hall. She sent me a link: “Guys, check it out, a very interesting contest. There is an opportunity to take part.” I was pleased to try it, take the risk. I sent a video recording, and here I am today, I hope everything will be fine.
- What was on the video recording?
- I needed to send two pop songs and two operatic arias in an academic manner. In other words, I needed to show the diversity of my skills. One of the pop songs was a song of Muslim Magomedovich, the second one was a foreign pop song, Harry Warren is the composer of “At Last” from the “Orchestra Wives” musical.
- Will you be the first to perform?
- I was very “lucky” today. In reality, maybe it is for the better, I will be less nervous. I will quickly get over my worries. I am not afraid to start.
- Do people in Abkhazia know Magomayev, his works?
- Undoubtedly. Our countries are friendly countries. It is the Caucasus.
DANIEL HAWKINS (UK)
- How did you come up with the idea to take part in the contest?
- I found the contest on the Internet. I gladly watched the contest last year, I was very impressed by the level of performances. In England, in the West, there is no rich tradition of pop music, variety classic genre. I am very happy that the Magomayev contest gives an opportunity to perform and sing all songs we know and love, that Muslim Magomayev performed.
- Is such a performer as Muslim Magomayev notable in Great Britain? What is known about Azerbaijan?
- Many Soviet artists like Gulyayev, Leshchenko, Kobzon, Magomayev are well-known in England. But people usually listen to the classical arias of Magomayev, Neapolis songs. I think they know little about Azerbaijan, to be honest. For the English, Azerbaijan, like countries of the East, is considered exotic.
- Do you feel the responsibility of performing at a contest of a singer of a such level?
- Of course. I cannot disappoint them, if I was selected, selected by Tamara Ilyinichna (Sinyavskaya) and other judges. Responsibility is sensible before the contest for the memory of such a great, multi-faceted performer as Muslim Magomayev. At the same time, I am very happy to be here, I am glad to have a chance to perform and sing my favourite songs.
- Who do you consider your competitors to be?
- I deliberately did not listen to the other competitors. I think that the most important thing is to approach individually, perform, show skills the best way. The main competitor is myself. I think that the main thing is to overcome anticipation, nerves and perform the way the audience and the jury would like.
Competitors range from Korea to UKMoscow selected competitors for the 3rd International Muslim Magomayev Vocal Contest on September 16. 15 of the best singers will compete at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow on October 18-19.Vincenzo De Vivo, a judge of the contest, the art director of the San Carlo Theater, called the Muslim Magomayev contest unique, where competitors should show their talent and skill in performing classical and pop repertoire.Tamara Sinyavskaya, the head of the judges, a singer and a pedagogue, a People’s Artist of the USSR, the widow of Muslim Magomayev, says that the contest is always a risk: “I wish all competitors luck, so that they would sing and enjoy it. Worry, but it should be productive. You enter a fight on the stage.”According to Sinyavskaya, there were many bids: “When choosing competitors, we were following the main criterion for an artist: possession of vocal skills, charisma, ability to control the voice. The geography of the contest expands every year.” The first bids for the contest arrived from Abkhazia, UK, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and Croatia. Singers from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine and other countries send their files regularly.The popularity of the vocal contest grows every year. Its geography ranges from Korea to the UK now. Vestnik Kavkaza has interviewed some competitors.AYTADZH SHIKHALIZADEH (AZERBAIJAN)- How did you come up with the idea to take part in the contest?- The idea came long ago, to be honest. My age would not allow me, because there is such a term as “early” in vocals. Experience is certainly a very important moment. But Azerbaijan is the origin of Muslim Magomayev, he has always been my idol. This year, I have decided to take part in the contest and I was selected.- What do you plan to perform? Will there be any song?- Of course. We have a fixed repertoire of Muslim Magomayev. I will sing “Granada” from his repertoire. I really love that ballad, I love it, and the topic. It is my style.CHRISTINA EZHBA (ABKHAZIA)- How did you find out about the contest? How did you come up with the idea to take part in it?- I learned about the contest from a friend, she works at a concert hall. She sent me a link: “Guys, check it out, a very interesting contest. There is an opportunity to take part.” I was pleased to try it, take the risk. I sent a video recording, and here I am today, I hope everything will be fine.- What was on the video recording?- I needed to send two pop songs and two operatic arias in an academic manner. In other words, I needed to show the diversity of my skills. One of the pop songs was a song of Muslim Magomedovich, the second one was a foreign pop song, Harry Warren is the composer of “At Last” from the “Orchestra Wives” musical.- Will you be the first to perform?- I was very “lucky” today. In reality, maybe it is for the better, I will be less nervous. I will quickly get over my worries. I am not afraid to start.- Do people in Abkhazia know Magomayev, his works?- Undoubtedly. Our countries are friendly countries. It is the Caucasus.DANIEL HAWKINS (UK)- How did you come up with the idea to take part in the contest?- I found the contest on the Internet. I gladly watched the contest last year, I was very impressed by the level of performances. In England, in the West, there is no rich tradition of pop music, variety classic genre. I am very happy that the Magomayev contest gives an opportunity to perform and sing all songs we know and love, that Muslim Magomayev performed.- Is such a performer as Muslim Magomayev notable in Great Britain? What is known about Azerbaijan?- Many Soviet artists like Gulyayev, Leshchenko, Kobzon, Magomayev are well-known in England. But people usually listen to the classical arias of Magomayev, Neapolis songs. I think they know little about Azerbaijan, to be honest. For the English, Azerbaijan, like countries of the East, is considered exotic.- Do you feel the responsibility of performing at a contest of a singer of a such level?- Of course. I cannot disappoint them, if I was selected, selected by Tamara Ilyinichna (Sinyavskaya) and other judges. Responsibility is sensible before the contest for the memory of such a great, multi-faceted performer as Muslim Magomayev. At the same time, I am very happy to be here, I am glad to have a chance to perform and sing my favourite songs.- Who do you consider your competitors to be?- I deliberately did not listen to the other competitors. I think that the most important thing is to approach individually, perform, show skills the best way. The main competitor is myself. I think that the main thing is to overcome anticipation, nerves and perform the way the audience and the jury would l
