Alim Qasimov (Azerbaijan) and musicAeterna Quartet

Programme:
traditional Azerbaijani music

Recorded live at the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre on May 18, 2017

Alim Qasimov Ensemble 
Vocal, daf: Alim Qasimov 
Vocal, daf: Fargana Qasimova 
Balaban: Rafael Asgarov 
Kamancha: Rauf Islamov 
Naghara: Javidan Nabiyev 
Tar: Zaki Valiyev 

musicAeterna Quartet 
Violin: Afanasy Chupin 
Violin: Aylen Pritchin 
Viola: Irina Sopova 
Cello: Marina Ivanova 

Alim Qasimov garnered global fame for his performance of mugham (a type of traditional Azerbaijani music), which is a meditative multi-part vocal-instrumental work based on the philosophical texts of Persian poets. 

Qasimov succeeded not only in preserving the tradition of performing this unique genre, passed down through word of mouth, but also breathing new life into it. Given the improvisational nature of mugham, which, however, should not go beyond the framework of the canon, the musician expanded its vocal and instrumental composition. Thus, at the concerts of the Alim Qasimov Ensemble, two xanende (the singer and his daughter Fargana) always sing, and — besides from the traditional tare, kamanchi and tambourine — balaban, nagara, tutak, zurna and even the clarinet can be heard. 
 
At the Diaghilev Festival 2017 musicians of the musicAeterna Orchestra joined the famous ensemble.