Piano learning options.
The article provides a brief biography of the Azerbaijani composer Vasif Adigezalov. And further, the author of the article, analyzing the music of a number of preludes, comes to the conclusion that the student, in addition to technical examples and images of perception, needs to be shown the performance of classical samples using mugham.
The words of the Klog : synthesis of classics and mugham in the process of learning to play the piano.
Vasif Adigozalov was born on 07.28.35 in Baku. His father, the famous mugham master Zulfugar Adigozalov, was born in Shusha county.
Vasif Adigozalov, after graduating from the Bulbul Special Music School, entered the Azerbaijan State Conservatory, from which he graduated both as a composer and as a pianist. This outstanding composer began his career as a student: editor-in-chief of the State Committee for TV and Radio Broadcasting, teacher of the Asaf Zeynalli Music College, executive secretary of the Board of the Union of Composers, artistic director of the Azerbaijan State
Song and Dance Ensemble, Director of the Asaf Zeynalli Music College, Associate Professor, Professor, Head of the Department of Choral Conducting at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory, 1st Secretary of the Union of Composers of Azerbaijan.
His enormous contribution to the education of the younger generation is even broader, and of course, his composing activities.
Symphonies, symphonic poems, piano and violin concertos, oratorios, operas, musical comedies – amaze with a deep knowledge of the treasury of mugham of the Azerbaijani people, and his performing activity as a brilliant pianist is also impressive.
Vasif Adigezalov’s piano music is very original, from examples of classicism to Ashug images. Being a great pianist himself, Vasif Adigozalov created his priceless 24 preludes with a texture that was convenient for the performer. A disciple of the great K.Karayeva, Vasif Adigozalov draws on the traditions of the classics in them, and at the same time, introduces a lot of new things – the intonations of mugham are embodied through a variety of register techniques, extraordinary colors, and the reproduction of various orchestral instruments in one piano.
Let’s look at some of the 24 preludes, although all of them represent the brightest synthesis of classics with mugham, they differ in lyrics, colorfulness, and richness of new timbre techniques.
Some are those that especially express emotional areas, picturesqueness, and poetry.
Prelude No. 1 Andante – colorful landscapes , the choice of the pastoral key of D – dur is not accidental .
This prelude serves as an introduction to the whole cycle.
The first two bars are rocking and thinking, and then an amazingly beautiful melody enters, with a nightingale trilling.
Example 1 page 5 vol. 1-8
There is a narrative that leads to the agitated middle of the h moll – nature is agitated ; an unusual combination of classics and oriental ornaments in the chords .
Example 2 page 6 tt. 1-3…
A little ritenuto , and again everything calms down , pacified , and freezes …
Example 3 page 6 tt 14-16
Prelude No. 3 page 11 Andante cantabile , h moll . The intro, the chords, the somewhat disturbing coloring.
Example 4 page 11 tt 1-6
Switching to Piu mosso , anxiety is gaining momentum…
Example 5 page 12 tt 6-7
Complex chord passages arise, which are also difficult in terms of technical achievement.The climax is on the tremolo, and eight (!) fermats
Example 6 page 13 tt 8-12
Gasp… And we return to a more peaceful beginning – nature calms down.
Example 7 page 14 tt 13-16
Prelude No. 11 page 46 andante rubato. The score is 6/8 , insinuating soft two bars,
Example 8 page 46 tt 1-4
And then , as if we were climbing a mountain ; and now the as of the 2nd octave sparkled . ,
Example 9 page 46 tt 6- 7
…with inviting intonations – the crystal clear air of the Shushi mountains, emerald greenery, and disturbing, but also soothing intonations – the modern world with its contradictions. And again, as in all preludes, and, one might say, in all works, there is an amazingly subtle fusion of classical and native Azerbaijani folk music.
The prelude doesn’t stop on the tonic – it’s like a question and reflection in nature.
Example 10 page 48 tt 10-12
Prelude No. 18, page 70 Andante is also contemplative, but without the agitated episode. A boat is bobbing on the surface of the lake , surrounded by a malachite forest with its mysteries
Example 11 page 70 tt 1-6
Potential, native Azerbaijan.
Stunning beauty of harmony – strict classics and the East , native Azerbaijan.
Prelude No. 20, page 78. Moderato and diss moll, very aching tonality , Example 12 , 1-4 bars.
But the uniform six fractions , 6/8 , balance sadness with bursts of vivid emotions . ,
Example 13 , page 80. tt 6-7
In this group of picturesque preludes, we will listen to prelude No. 23, a moll, andante cantabile. A leisurely narration by agsaggal’(a), a wise grandfather, to his granddaughter, his story about life and parting words ,
Example 14 , page 86 , 1-3 vols.
The memory is taken away, and the 16th notes are scattered like pearls , and from these memories an experience is drawn for the younger generation … And everything around is fanned by an oriental fairy tale. ,
Example 15 page 87 , tt 10-15
Prelude No. 24 This is the final prelude of the cycle, it is both majestic and technically challenging at the same time. It begins with a chord on sf, and immediately on subito mp, small waves begin to move, which, gaining power, splash against the rock in the light, and again the waves move with incessant collisions with the rock.
Example 16 page 90 TT 1 – 4
This is the gray Caspian Sea. Foreplay is technically difficult.
Example 17 page 91 TT 1-11
Here, the 16th notes are grouped in both 4 and sextoles, powerful chords. And everything leads to the middle part of Maestozo – the sun is at its zenith over the Caspian Sea, life-affirming seventh chords in the right and left hands, with juicy, unusual harmonies.
Example 18 page 93 TT 5-8 .
And already in the rays of the hot Azerbaijani sun, the Caspian Sea continues its steady movement.
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan. Its residents, as well as guests, are always delighted to feel its beauty, combining a Western European city with an eastern one. And also in all cities of Azerbaijan.
The great synthesis of classics and national identity is reflected in the works of the outstanding composer Vasif Adigezalov.
Vasif Adigezalov’s works are widely known to the music world not only in our country, but also in many countries of the world, including the Czech Republic, Germany, Bulgaria, Cuba, Turkey, Iran, and the post-Soviet republics. And the unique flavor of the synthesis of the West and the East in his works invariably caused and still causes stormy ovations and applause from the peoples of these countries.
Vasif Adigozalov died on 15.09.2006. The bright memory of a wonderful man, a talented composer and a reverent teacher, will live forever. His contributions to the promotion and development of Azerbaijani culture were highly appreciated.
Awards: Order of Independence, Order of Glory, People’s Artist of the AZSSR, Honored Artist of the AZSSR, State Prize of the AZSSR, buried in the Alley of Honor in Baku.
Vasif Adigozalov, in addition to his bright and unique creative personality, is also known as a Citizen of his Homeland, demonstrating a truly patriotic attitude towards all events.