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| Cellist Aleksey Miltykh, right, violinist Kim Bomsori, second from right, and pianist Saida Tagi-zadeh, third from right, perform at the "Invitation of Azerbaijan" concert at the IBK Chamber Hall of Seoul Arts Center, Friday. / Courtesy of Korea Foundation |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
The Korea Foundation (KF) Spring Concert 2015 offered a rare musical delight showcasing exotic Azerbaijani music at the IBK Chamber Hall of Seoul Arts Center, Friday.
Titled "Invitation of Azerbaijan," the concert featured two musicians from the Eastern European country ― cellist Aleksey Miltykh and pianist Saida Tagi-zadeh ― with Korean violinist Kim Bomsori accompanying them.
It was a part of the KF's annual spring concert series promoting cultural exchanges, inviting foreign musicians to collaborate with Korean artists in cooperation with each country's embassy in Seoul.
Ramzi Teymurov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Korea, expressed gratitude toward the KF for supporting the concert. "It is such a great opportunity for our young performers to present themselves in Korea, joined with this beautiful Korean violinist," Teymurov said. "There is no language barrier for music."
Miltykh and Tagi-zadeh opened up the recital with Chopin's "Introduction and Polonaise Brillante for Cello and Piano in C Major, Op.3." The two performed the composition for cello and piano sometimes slowly and gently, sometimes more intensely. Tagi-zadeh, adorned in a gold and green lace dress, played the piano fluently throughout.
Violin virtuoso Kim joined Tagi-zadeh for the next piece, Tchaikovsky's "Valse-Scherzo in C Major, Op. 34." The petite violinist was never small in terms of musical presence, immediately captivating the audience with the lively waltz, creating the atmosphere of a ball in the concert hall.
They continued to a more familiar tune with a fresh arrangement ― American film composer Franz Waxman's "Carmen Fantasie Op. 25," based on various themes from Bizet's opera "Carmen." A warm, rousing round of applause burst out as Kim and Tagi-zadeh hugged each other after the rejuvenating musical performance.
Then the concert started to introduce the Azerbaijani music. Tagi-zadeh's piano solo of "Ballade" by Jovdat Gadjiyev led the van. Gadjiyev was an Azeri composer during the period of the Soviet Union. The piano piece was like a tribute to the country's history, finding a silver lining amid gloominess.
Cellist Miltykh came out on stage to play Fikret Amirov's "Poem-Monologue for Cello and Piano" as a duet with Tagi-zadeh. Based on Azerbaijani folk music, the song interpreted traditional aspects in a classical, symphonic way.
After a short interval, the two musicians continued to another Azerbaijani piece, composer Nazim Aliverdibekov's "Elegy," which reminds of a plaintive night in Baku, capital of the country.
Kara Karayev's waltz from "The Seven Beauties; Ballet Suite," performed by Tagi-zadeh, showcased unique traits of Azeri music. The vivacious dance suite almost visualized graceful, elegant waltz movements with abundant characteristics of Azerbaijani folk music in it.
Miltykh and Tagi-zadeh's cello-piano duet "Mugam and Dance", composed by Ogtay Zulfugarov, was a highlight of the music-soaked evening. Mugam is a form of Azerbaijani folk music, inspired by Arabic music and characterized by extensive improvisation. Miltykh touched the strings of his cello, played pizzicato and even tapped the cello like a percussion instrument to the beat of the music, maximizing its folksy charm.
Tagi-zadeh also played Uzeir Gadjibekov's "Jangi," a dramatic piece reflecting the composer's characteristics. Gadjibekov is the composer of Azerbaijan's national anthem.
Miltykh and Tagi-zadeh went on to another popular tune, "Le Grand Tango for Cello and Piano", by famed Argentine tango composer Piazzolla, boosting the exotic atmosphere.
Last but not least, violinist Kim joined for the final ensemble of the three instruments, Musa Mirzoyev's "Trio."
Kim said it was the first time she had played Azerbaijani music and the musicians only had a day to rehearse the ensemble. But her performance was impeccable, completely understanding the music inspired by Azerbaijan's traditions.
