Outstanding
Azerbaijan composer Uzeir Hajibeyov (1885 - 1948) was the
author of this research. He was the founder of Azerbaijan
opera, famous journalist, dramatist, talented teacher, and
scientist. His contribution into treasury of Azerbaijan spiritual
culture is great.
This
book laid strong foundation for new national musicology. It
was the result of long scrupulous researches and scientific-theoretical
findings.
The
following actions and knowledge allowed Uz. Hajibeyov to summarize
and validate his researches in the book “Principles of Azerbaijan
Folk Music”:
-
familiarity with Russian and European scientific
musicology;
-
familiarity with Eastern musicology, including
Azerbaijan one (works of Safiaddin Urmevi, Abd-ul-kadir Maraggi,
Mir Mohsun Navvab, etc.);
-
good knowledge of national classic melodic
system;
-
personal teaching practice with students,
applying own theory;
-
numerous reports;
-
discussions among connoisseurs of Azerbaijan
music heritage, aimed to reveal relevancy of introduced system.
Equally
with scientific and theoretical values, this book has practical
significance. Moreover, it has creative significance in study
of Azerbaijan modal system’s essence. It was not result of
schemes, but of folk music – living and functioning. The scientist
gave this harmonic theoretical conception of modal system
in clear and accessible statement of contents.
In
his preface, the author writes: “Ti study principles of Azerbaijan
folk music is of a great significance. It is important for
Azerbaijan music culture’s further prosperity. Moreover it
is one of essential branches of scientific research and musical-theoretical
works in Azerbaijan musicology.” And further: “”My work is
theoretical guide to study main principles of Azerbaijan folk
music. It is creative assistance for authors to compose music
basing on Azerbaijan modes. (…) For me, as composer, my work
to study principles of Azerbaijan folk music had practical
meaning and caused my opera “Kerogli” (see present edition).
It
is natural that a number of outstanding composers and musicologists
highly assessed this work. So, composer R. M. Gliyer, author
of "Shakhsenem" opera, wrote to his colleague (Uz.
Hajibeyov): "I am sure that your work would be of exclusive
value for development of Azerbaijan art, and therefore for
Soviet and world art."
Famous
Eastern music's researcher, professor V. M. Belyaev emphasizes
in his letter to the author: "This work would, undoubtedly,
play significant role to familiarize with Azerbaijan folk
music. (…) Your bestowal system is rational from educative
point of view. It would give possibility to learn its content
easily and conveniently. (…) the subject's clear statement
gives much to understand classic works, related to Eastern
music."
We
would like to emphasize significance of this work. Author
of this monograph was teacher and scientists. And his book
was of a great importance for young composers and musicologists'
creative development. Uz. Hajibeyov inculcated them his vital
and creative credo: to serve unselfishly to his folk and art.
Uz. Hajibeyov called them to practice as follows:
-
to speak with folk at its native popular
music language;
-
to learn from the folk;
-
to return adopted reaches gotten better;
-
not only quoting, but improving.
It
was not unintentionally that he elaborated special course
of principles of Azerbaijan folk music. He input is as mandatory
discipline for the Conservatoire students in 1924, and later
for musical college.
His
student, famous composer Gara Garayev, told about Hajibeyov-teacher:
"This talented teacher had specific delicacy in his approach
to each student. In his classes many of us understood for
the first time that there was harmonious system, not only
aesthetically beautiful, but also logically clear. It was
concealed behind charming lyric songs and exquisite mugam's
structure. And then, impressed by the Teacher's deep and wise
opinion, following his example, we realized unexhausted folklore's
opportunities. It was opportunity to reveal folklore as source
of national composition style. Many of us entered the new
world, the one of daring search and further innovations."
The
book “Principles of Azerbaijan Folk Music” was written in
Russian (probably for better access to wide readers). For
the first time it was published in 1945. The second edition
appeared in 1957. Editor of both publications was Professor
K. Safaraliyeva. The malady prevented the author to carry
out Azerbaijan edition of the book. The Institute of Architecture
and Arts at Academy of Science of the Azerbaijan Republic
entrusted to translate the book to M. S. Ismaylov in 1950.
He was editor of the book, jointly with composer S. Hajibeyov.
The book was twice re-edited in Azerbaijan language (1962
- editor M. S. Ismaylov; 1965 - editor - academician Mirza
Ibrahimov, compiler and commentator - K. Kasimov).
So,
the Institute of Architecture and Arts at Academy of Science
of the Azerbaijan Republic prepared all five editions of the
book. At the moment the Institute offers jubilee edition (in
Azerbaijan, Russian, and English languages). It is dated to
100 anniversary of Uz. Hajibeyov carried out within UNESCO
calendar "Anniversaries of Great Peoples and Significant
Events of 1985."
The
text of the Scientist’s life-time edition is completely preserved
in this one. It is based on the book’s manuscript. The latter
is kept at Uz. Hajibeyov Memorial House-Museum (inventory
No KP-2335).
