Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall

The Muslim Magomayev Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall (Azerbaijani: Müslüm Maqomayev adına Azərbaycan Dövlət Akademik Filarmoniyası), located in Baku, is the main concert hall in Azerbaijan built in 1912.

Muslim Magomayev Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall
Müslüm Maqomayev adına Azərbaycan Dövlət Akademik Filarmoniyası
LocationBaku, Azerbaijan
Coordinates40.3664°N 49.8350°E / 40.3664; 49.8350
Capacity1,100 (Summer Hall)
610 (Winter Hall)
Construction
Built1910–1912
Opened1912
27 January 2004
Renovated1937, November 2002–2004
Closed1995
ArchitectGabriel Ter-Mikelov
Website
filarmoniya.az
A different view of the Philharmonic Hall.

History
Side doors to the Philharmonic Hall facing Istiglaliyyat street

The Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall was constructed throughout 1910–1912 at the request of the city elite and designed by the Armenian architect Gabriel Ter-Mikelov in the Italian Renaissance (exterior) and German Rococo (interior) styles. Its design was inspired by the architectural style of buildings within the Monte-Carlo Casino, particularly l'Opéra de Monte-Carlo.[1] The society (known as the Summer Center for Public Gatherings prior to 1936) was originally organized as a club for the wealthy of Baku, who attended it for banquets and entertainment. During the Russian Civil War it served as a place for public rallies.[1] In 1936, the club was reorganized into a residence for the Philharmonic society aimed at promoting Azerbaijani classical and folk music. On 11 August 1937 after the building underwent renovation it was named after composer Muslim Magomayev.[2]

In 1995, the hall was closed down for the more than 8 years for another renovation. However no restoration works were performed for the most part of that period, much to the discontent of many residents of Baku. Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture explained such delay by the fact that underground waters had damaged the base of the building over time.[3] Nevertheless, there were reports (mainly in the opposition media) that the money provided for the renovation by the government or donated by various prominent musicians (such as Mstislav Rostropovich, a Baku native) was largely misappropriated by the bureaucrats and officials who were in charge of funding the project.[4] It was not until November 2002 that the restoration works resumed due to President Heydar Aliyev's special decree. The opening of the fully renovated building took place on 27 January 2004.[2] The opening ceremony of the newly-renovated building was held on January 27, 2004. Several famous people attended the ceremony like President Ilham Aliyev, former minister of culture Polad Bulbuloglu, outstanding cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, professor Ferhad Badalbayli.[5]

Structure

The main building consists of the Summer Hall (1100 seats) and the Winter Hall (610 seats) joined by a single stage. The society affiliates 7 performing groups, namely:[2]

See also

References
  1. (in Russian) The Principal City of the Province by Manaf Suleymanov. The Past Days. 1990. Retrieved 29 December 2006
  2. (in Azerbaijani) The Magomayev Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall Archived January 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Official website. Retrieved 29 December 2006
  3. (in Russian) Out Theatres Had No Luck by S.Sibirli. Ezhednevnye Novosti Newspaper. 15 March 2002. Retrieved 30 December 2006
  4. (in Russian) The Ghost of the Philharmonic Hall by Ulviyya Sattarkhan. Monitor Magazine. 31 January 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2005
  5. Azərbaycan Dövlət Filarmoniyası
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