Detaşe-Sabah Violin Ensemble Captivates at Gabala Music Festival

The Detaşe-Sabah Violin Ensemble delivered a captivating performance at the 14th Gabala International Music Festival held at the Heydar Aliyev Congress Center. The concert showcased a range of compositions from both renowned and local composers, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Before the concert, Zahra Guliyeva, the ensemble’s leader and a People’s Artist as well as a professor at the Baku Music Academy, highlighted the unique challenges faced by the ensemble. “The Detaşe-Sabah Violin Ensemble has been active for nearly 20 years,” she noted, explaining that the group’s core consists of members from the Sabah Academy.

Guliyeva elaborated on the ensemble’s dynamic nature, stating, “Since the composition of the ensemble changes every two to three years as students graduate, we have to start almost from scratch each time. This is, of course, challenging.” She emphasized the difference between the violin ensemble and traditional symphony or chamber orchestras, mentioning that the ensemble performs without a conductor. “Each participant must feel the breath and sound of others, catch the smallest nuances of the performed piece, and embody them at the level of refined musical perception,” she added.

The concert featured an eclectic mix of works, including compositions by Uzeyir Hajibayli, Tofig Guliyev, Gara Garayev, Farhad Badalbayli, and U. Mamnadov. Additionally, the ensemble performed pieces by classical composers such as J.S. Bach, N. Rimsky-Korsakov, S. Prokofiev, and D. Shostakovich.

Following the ensemble’s performance, students from the Baku Music Academy took to the stage, presenting their own selections and showcasing the next generation of musical talent. This event not only celebrated the rich tradition of violin music but also highlighted the ongoing commitment of the Baku Music Academy to nurture young musicians.

The Gabala International Music Festival continues to serve as a platform for artistic expression, drawing talent from across the region and beyond. With events like this, it reinforces its reputation as a significant cultural event in the international music calendar.