Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra

The Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra (Azeri; Hacıbəyov adına Azərbaycan Dövlət Simfonik Orkestri or Hacıbəyov Dövlət Simfonik Orkestri) was established in 1920 by initiative of the founder of Azerbaijan professional music Uzeyir Hajibeyli. Being one of the first orchestras in the former Soviet Union, the Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra has played significant role in promotion of professional music since the very first day of its establishment. The repertoire of the Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra includes works of composers of Azerbaijan and foreign countries. It is affiliated with the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Society.

Composers such as Rhené-Baton and Otto Klemperer were invited from abroad to assist in establishing and training the orchestra body. From 1938 to 1984, Hajibeyov's nephew Niyazi was conducting the orchestra. After his death, the conducting has been performed by People's Artist of Azerbaijan, Professor Rauf Abdullayev. The orchestra has toured a number of countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, and Egypt.

Uzeyir bey Abdul Huseyn oglu Hajibeyov (September 18, 1885 – November 23, 1948) was an Azerbaijani and Soviet composer, conductor, publicist, playwright, teacher, translator, and social figure from Azerbaijan. He is recognized as the father of Azerbaijani composed classical music and opera. Uzeyir Hajibeyov composed the music of the national anthem of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (which was re-adopted after Azerbaijan regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991). He also composed the anthem used by Azerbaijan during the Soviet period. He was the first composer of an opera in the Islamic world.

Hajibeyov was the creator of the first operas and operettas in the Orient. In 1938, he was awarded with the title of People's Artist of the USSR. During the entire Soviet history, only three or four Azerbaijani musicians ever attained this level. He was also honored with the Order of Lenin and the Stalin Prize which he won twice, once in 1941 for the opera Koroghlu (1936), and the other time in 1946 for the 1945 film based on his opera Arshin Mal Alan.

Hajibeyov died of diabetes at the age of 63, and was buried at the Alley of Honor in Baku.

History of these albums’ procutions

In Mid Nineties X DOT 25 Music entered into Recording Agreements with Mr. Zoroofchi and produced the 2 albums you see here on this page, as a part of X DOT 25 Music website. This page was established in Mid Nineties. X DOT 25 Music produced both albums in 42nd Studios in Los Angeles, where Mr. Zoroofchi sang all the songs of vocal albums and brought in musicians to play the lead instruments on Baku Nights, t he instrumental version of t he Arezoo album. Mr. Zoroofchi was fully paid for his services.

Below for Archival and History reasons, we have the pictures of the Production Masters from X DOT 25 Music archives, displayed for his music lovers and followers to enjoy seeing them. These masters are owned, preserved and are in X DOT 25 Music Offices in USA. X DOT 25 Music fully owns all the rights of these albums as work for hire.

Album Details: 

Arezoo

Artist(s): Yaghoub (Yaghub - Yaqub - Yaghoob - Yagoub) Zoroofchi & Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Ismâîl Hâdjî-üghlu
Style/Genre: Symphonic Orchestra/Vocal/Classical
Instrumentation: Symphony Orchestra

"Arezoo" is a very special recording that features the outstanding tenor voice of Yaghoub Zoroofchi soaring over mesmerizing timbres created by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra. Zoroofchi's exceptional operatic and classical ability was honed under the guidance of Iranian, Italian, and British masters, and he is considered the greatest Azeri vocalist of our time. Combining Zoroofchi's vocal styling with the evocative symphonic textures created by the Azerbaijan State Symphony and the compositions of Ujeer Gadjibekov makes for a magical listening experience.

Tracks:

1. Ârézoo 6:10
2. Sandan Mané yâr Ulmâz 1:44
3. Khumâr Uldum 4:11
4. Gal, Gal 1:58
5. Dard'mand 4:00
6. Band Uldum 2:14
7. Âyriliqh 5:50
8. Nigâr 3:03
9. Kür Arab 6:05
10. So'golî Jânân 2:39
11. Méhr'bân 3:11
12. Qharanfîl 2:30
13. San Siz 4:13
14. Méhr'bân (Reprise) 2:37

Total Time: 51:19 

Item # CD 2005-2

Conceived and Executed by: X DOT 25 Music
Executive Producers: X DOT 25 Music 

Mr. Zoroofchi’s vocals was recorded at 42nd Studio in North Hollywood 

Recorded and Mixed by: Yousef Shahab
Mastered by: X DOT 25 Music & Daniel Wyman
All literature on the tracks and texts by: Koorosh Angali
Package Design & Computer support by: Koorosh Angali

Dedicated To: Uzeer Gadjibegov

This album is dedicated to Uzeer Gadjibegov (pronounced Ü-zîr Hâ-jî-béi-göff), one of the most prominent figures in the music and culture of Azerbaijan. Amongst his accomplishments are several operas which are based on folk fables or epic fragments including Ârshîn Mâl âlân and Kür-üghli. He also has created several compositions based on the mystical verses of Nézâmî Gandjavî, the 6th C.H. (12th C.A.D.) Persian poet, and sufî philosopher. Shortly before his death he started an opera based on Nizâmî's Khosrow & Shîrîn, which was never completed.

Arezoo - Longing 

A symphonic recording of some of the most romantic and moving Azerbaizan's classical pieces by composers such as Niazi, Haji Bakeov, Ali Salimi and others. Performed by the120 piece Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra, this recording features over one hour of a dramatic combination of western classical instrumentation with some of the most beautiful melodies of central Asia, accompanying Zoroofchi's vocal wizardry. The word "unique" is an adjective that is overused when describing an artists music, but every now and then a record comes along that is truly unique. "Arezoo" by Zoroofchi and the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra is one such recording. This album features the outstanding tenor voice of Yaghoub Zoroofchi soaring over the gorgeous, silken timbres created by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra. The string arrangements are reminiscent of 1940's and 50's big budget movie soundtracks, and they will transport you to another world. Zoroofchi's exceptional operatic and classical ability was honed under the guidance of Iranian, Italian, and British masters, and he is considered the greatest Azari vocalist of our time. Combining Zoroofchi's vocal stylings with the evocative symphonic textures created by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra and the compositions of Ujeer Gadjibekov makes for a magical listening experience- don't miss this unique recording!

Ârézoo (Longing) 
Music: Niyâzî 
The lyrics in this song is about a lover's longing for his beloved. "With so much to say," he sighs, "how can I be quiet and patient?" He wishes, then, to be a nightingale in the garden of his beloved. "I wish I was within you," he utters, "just like your fiery heart." 
A sumptuous work of lyricism and craftsmanship, the poetry and music herein are heart-warming.

Sandan Mané Yâr Ulmâz (You won't make a good lover for me) 
Music: from an old folk song 
In this old folk song, which has been around for centuries, the lover suggests that even if they become lovers she wouldn't stay loyal to him. "I am playing my instrument," he says, "don't you play yours, for it turns my Spring into Winter." 
In the end, however, the lover gives in and asks for reconciliation by suggesting that they should sit down and write about their pains for one another.

Khumâr Üldum (I was entranced) 
Music: from an old folk song 
A lthough an innocent lover - as any traditional one would be- still he has his instincts interfere with his virtuosity, hence his utterance: "I became entranced when I gazed upon your taut nipple shining from underneath your flowing shirt." 
He would see her everywhere; in his dream, or at the spring, where she washes her hand and face. One can say, presumably, that the lover is doomed to be entranced by this love!

Gal, Gal (Come! Come!) 
Music: Uzeer Gadjibegov 
(An aria from the opera "Ârshîn Mâl Âlân") 
Ever since the opera "Ârshîn Mâl Âlân" was composed, not only has it been staged over and over again, but also different parts and aria of this opera have been sung by many vocalists. 
The lover, in this aria, recalls the moment that he and his beloved met and suggests that since they became fond of one another from the first glance, they should get together and enjoy the kind of love that King Solomon did!

Dard'mand (The Pain Bearer) 
Music: Uzeer Gadjibegov 
(An aria from the opera "Ârshîn Mâl Âlân") 
"I am moaning and groaning as a reed utters songs of love. I would never cease this even if I am cut in pieces, like a reed. O, Fate think of a solution. As much as my beloved is pain-free, I am in agony." These are the words of a lover who has no hope for enjoying the company of his beloved, uttered in despair.

Band Üldum (I was entrapped in love)
Music: Uzeer Gadjibegov 
(An aria from the opera "Ârshîn Mâl Âlân") 
"I've learned all the crafts of living; have experienced all the pains, and even have been mocked by strangers and now I am so much in love that I can not exist without you. I can see nobody, I wouldn't share my secrets with anybody. What was love and what was being in love, I wouldn't know. And now I am in love with you and I feel I am the luckiest in the whole world." Thus speaks the lover who is bound by love.

Ayriligh or Ayriliq (Separation & Love)
Music: Ali Salimi (1957)

Nigâr (The beloved one) 
Music: Uzeer Gadjibegov 
(An aria from the opera "Kür-üghli") 
The unfortunate lover in this aria from the renowned opera "Kür-üghli," which is based on an epic fable, complains that the tyrannous Khan has kept his beloved captive. Although being separated from her is unbearable, he cannot meet with her, either. In the end he decides to face the Khan without any fear until he frees his lover, even if he loses his life in the process. He becomes the true lover who initiates Love in this life, seizing the moment for his hearts desire.

Kür Arab (The Blind Arab) 
Music: Fikrat Amîrov
Kür Arab is a political figure in the history of Azarbaijan. This song is dedicated to this legendary hero. "He is neither love, nor the lover; neither the creation, nor the creator; neither the pain, nor the remedy; neither the joy, nor the sorrow. He neither reconciles, nor separates. My heart, filled with the illumination of love, my eyes blindfolded, he would neither become light, nor darkness. Such creation is impossible, such bliss, incomprehensible. And such darkness!, such darkness!"

So'golî Jânân (The favorite one) 
Music: Uzeer Gadjibegov
Turkish translation: Morvârîd Délbâzî "
Thou art the grandest of all creation. Tender me and grant me thine kiss, for kiss of a graceful beauty, for the lover, is all mere bliss." 
Thus utters the lover, longing for his beloved and her kindness. "I summoned my heart," he cries, "and you advised me to cease the quest, for I shall never find it." 
A tender love song, this track not only represents the traditional style of poetry, but also music that follows the same style.

Méhr'bân (The kind one) 
Music & Words: from an old folk song 
With the flourishing flowers and fruits, the season of joy is announced by the nightingale. Girls adorn their hair with floral ornaments; teasing the beholder, they smile ravishingly. The singer, announcing all this, invites everybody to dance: "O, handsome boy, O, pretty girl," he sings, "thus is our tradition for the girls to clap while the boys dance in weddings."

Qharanfîl (Gilly flower, clove pink; also a name for girls) 
Music: Vâséff Âdîgüzalov
The lover in this tender song tries to convince his beloved that his rival does not love her as much as he does and since her name is Qharanfîl he compares her to flowers in the garden, both in grace or in sorrow.
A traditional love song, this is a track full of sweet nuances.

San Siz (Without You)
Music: Uzeer Gadjibegov
Turkish translation: Ch. Khandân 
In this sad song the lover complains about being parted from his beloved, and states that without her he would cease to exist since he would be nothing without her.

Album Details: 

Baku Nights (Instrumental)

Artist(s): Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra
Style/Genre: Symphonic Orchestra/Classical/Instrumental
Instrumentation: Symphony Orchestra

An instrumental version of Arezoo, this is a symphonic recording of some of the most romantic and moving Azerbaizan's classical pieces by composers such as Niyazi, Haji Bakeov, Fikrat Amirov and others. Performed by the 120 piece Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra, this recording features over one hour of a dramatic combination of western classical instrumentation with some of the most beautiful melodies of central Asia. The melodies on this album were played by indigenous instruments of Azerbaijan. Instruments like; Tar, Duduk, Kamancheh, etc. A true masterpiece.

ALBUM INSERTS:

1. San Siz 4:09
2. Sogoli Janan 2:31
3. Nigar 2:54
4. Arezoo 6:11
5. Band Uldum 2:08
6. Ayriligh 5:53
7. Kur Arab 3:23
8. Dardmand 3:59
9. Mehraban 3:18
10. Qharanfil 2:34
11. Sandam Mane Yar Ulmaz 1:48
12. Gal Gal 1:53
13. Khumar Uldum 4:01

Total Time: 44:40

Item # CD 2006-2

Conceived and executed by: X DOT 25 Music
Executive Producers: X DOT 25 Music

Lead instruments were recorded at 42nd Studio in North Hollywood  under supervision of Mr. Zoroofchi
Recorded and Mixed by: Yousef Shahab

Mastered by: X DOT 25 Music & Daniel Wyman
All literature on the tracks and texts by: Koorosh Angali
Package Design & Computer support by: Koorosh Angali

Re-Mixed by: Yaghoub Zoroofchi
Mastered by: X DOT 25 Music

Cover Art Design by Max Ahmadi