Member login

Kara Karayev was born in Baku, where he studied at the music school from 1926–1935 (under Sharoyev). He continued his studies at the Baku Conservatory from 1935–1938 (composition under L.M. Rudolf. He moved on to the Moscow Conservatory from 1938–1941 (composition under Anatolii Aleksandrov and orchestration under S. Vasilenko) and from 1943–1946 (composition under Dmitri Shostakovich). His principal works are: three symphonies, suites and symphonic poems, violin concerto, ballets, opera, oratorio, cantatas, film music, piano works, two string quartets, sonata for violin and piano. In his style Karayev is clearly a pupil of Shostakovich. In his music he tries to make a creative synthesis of a non-western musical idiom with Western form, harmony and artistic-audience values. Folklore and national tradition influenced his music.

(Contribution by N. Sorokin <sorokinsorokin.cc>.)

• http://qara-qarayev.in-baku.com/en/life.htm