The art of a great singer Muslim Magomayev, who would have turned 74 years old on August 17, was a unique phenomenon, the special representative of the Russian President for International Cultural Cooperation, former Russian Minister of Culture Mikhail Shvydkoi, said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza.
"I cannot remember such a prominent pop singer, who equally would be an academic singer performing in a variety of arias and scores. For example, his role in Figaro was classic for Muslim Magometovich, but his perfomance of such pop songs as 'Buchenwald alarm bell' was quite phenomenal," the special representative of the President said.
He stressed that Muslim Magomayev's birthday is a celebration for all the people who lived in the Soviet Union: Baku citizens, Azerbaijanis and Russians.
"The birth of Muslim Magomayev was a remarkable phenomenon like an incredible comet. But a comet only appears in the sky and disappear instantly, and he lived a long and happy creative life," the ex-minister compared.
According to him, Magomayev's marriage with an outstanding singer Tamara Sinyavskaya was a real godsend. "I remember how Muslim Magometovich accompanied Tamara. Their whole life was a phenomenon of art," Shvydkoi stressed.
Former Minister of Culture noted that Muslim Magomayev was critical of himself till the end of his life. "One day he said that he would stop public performances. It was a very courageous step for a person who has received worldwide recognition," he said.
"This day - the day when Muslim Magomayev was born - is a happy day, so I congratulate everyone and thank God that this happened," Mikhail Shvydkoi concluded.
