Gabala, August 2, AZERTAC
Soundtracks from Azerbaijani and world cinematic masterpieces were performed for the first time at the 15th Gabala International Music Festival, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the Baku Academy of Music named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, and "Gilan."
Executed under the artistic direction and conductorship of Mustafa Mehmandarov, the concert featured performances by the "Scorrendo" Orchestra alongside soloists Said Mammadov on violin and soprano Natella Guliyeva.
The repertoire highlighted iconic domestic compositions, including works by Tofig Guliyev (Meeting), Arif Melikov (The Last Pass), Khayyam Mirzazade (I Want Seven Sons), and Fikret Amirov (Great Support). The orchestra also rendered globally celebrated scores by John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone, Ramin Djawadi, Nino Rota, and Bill Conti, featuring themes from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Interstellar, Mission: Impossible, Indiana Jones, The Professional, The Matrix, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Godfather, and Rocky.
Speaking to AZERTAC, violinist Said Mammadov commended the state's systematic support for rising artistic talent, noting that participation in the international festival provides significant momentum for the professional development of young musicians. Soprano Natella Guliyeva, a fourth-year student at the Baku Academy of Music making her debut as one of the festival's youngest performers, emphasized that providing international platforms to emerging artists demonstrates strong institutional confidence in youth.
The ongoing festival continues to serve as a key cultural driver in the region, drawing significant local and foreign attendance to its open-air amphitheater and concert venues while advancing Gabala’s position as an international hub for intercultural dialogue.