Afag Aliyeva: Vagif was a wonderful brother…
Baku, March 16, Anara Akhundova, AZERTAC
Vagif Mustafazadeh. When you say his name, you immediately hear music… Music that was born from the heart of this incredible musician and continues to live on, inspiring and captivating people of different generations both in Azerbaijan and beyond. This is the phenomenon of Vagif Mustafazadeh.
The world-renowned Azerbaijani pianist, composer, and one of the brightest jazz musicians of the 20th century, the founder of the jazz-mugham genre, was born on March 16, 1940, in Baku, into the family of a medical service major and a teacher of Azerbaijani folk music.
On the eve of the legendary musician’s birthday, AZERTAC visited the Vagif Mustafazadeh House-Museum. In the cozy, bright apartment, whose walls are filled with warmth and love, we were welcomed by the composer’s cousin, Afag Aliyeva, who is the head of the museum as well as the founder and director of the Vagif Mustafazadeh Cultural and Charitable Foundation.
Q: Afag khanim, what kind of person was Vagif Mustafazadeh? What was he like as a brother?
A: Vagif was a genius. He was a very kind, radiant person, who loved people and treated them incredibly well. His soul and heart are reflected in his music. As a brother, he was wonderful. Since childhood, there was a mutual attraction, love, and perhaps by fate’s will, it turned out that I am the one handling his affairs in Azerbaijan.
Q: You are also the founder and director of the Vagif Mustafazadeh Cultural and Charitable Foundation. Could you tell us about the foundation’s activities?
A: The foundation was established in 1997 after my aunt Zivyar Aliyeva, Vagif Mustafazadeh’s mother, entrusted me with the House-Museum. To officially work on preserving Vagif’s legacy, I decided to register the foundation. It has been functioning for twenty-eight years, and for all these years, I have been working on Vagif’s affairs. The foundation’s activities include publishing music albums and sheet music collections of Vagif Mustafazadeh’s works, organizing musical evenings, festivals, and events dedicated to him not only in Azerbaijan but also abroad.
Q: Afag khanim, what was this house like before it became a museum?
A: During Vagif’s lifetime, it was a communal apartment. Of course, it was very difficult to live here... But just three years before Vagif’s death, our unforgettable leader Heydar Aliyev provided him with an apartment on Torgovaya Street. Vagif was happy. He bought a grand piano, he could practice, he could work, rehearsals were held there, and overall, it was a good period for him. And to this day, guests continue to visit this place with pleasure, just as they did during Vagif’s lifetime – he was a very hospitable and generous person.
Q: Who are your visitors today?
A: Many people come here, including tourists from Russia, Germany, Turkey... And, of course, a lot of young people. Young people who know and love Vagif’s work.
Q: What significance does this man hold for our country?
A: He stands on the same level as many of our brilliant composers and musicians. But he is known worldwide! He was included in the world encyclopedia of musicians. By the way, his daughter, Aziza Mustafazadeh, is also included there.
Everyone, of course, knows that in 1978, the International Jazz Composition Competition was held in Monaco. The most famous musicians in the world participated. And at this competition, the composition 'Waiting for Aziza' by the Azerbaijani pianist-composer won the Grand Prix – a white piano. That says it all.
Q: It’s truly a pity that such a great person left this world so early…
A: Perhaps geniuses like him simply burn out quickly. They give so much energy! How many works did Vagif create in his short life! And how much he loved music, how much he loved jazz! And all this – this love, this rush towards everything – probably led to him just burning out…
Q: Afag khanim, why do you think his music remains popular to this day? How can you explain this?
A: The thing is, Vagif Mustafazadeh was the kind of musician who would sit down at the instrument, start playing, and his brain would transmit impulses to his heart. And the heart, of course, would pass them on to his hands. He was such a progressive musician, an amazing improviser! It’s a gift from God. To this day, I haven’t heard such a sound from any other pianist.
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