- Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall
The Magomayev Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall (Azeri: "Maqomayev adına Azərbaycan Dövlət Filarmoniyası"), located in
Baku , is the main concert hall inAzerbaijan built in 1912.History
The Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall was constructed throughout 1910–1912 at the request of the city elite and designed by the architect
Gavril Ter-Mikelov in theItalian Renaissance (exterior) and German Rococo (interior) styles. Its design was inspired by the architectural style of buildings within theMonte-Carlo Casino, particularly l'Opéra de Monte-Carlo .ru icon [http://www.baku.ru/blg-list.php?blg_id=3&id=24875&cmm_id=133&usp_id=0 The Principal City of the Province] byManaf Suleymanov . "The Past Days". 1990. Retrieved29 December 2006 ] The society (known as the Summer Centre 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 theRussian Civil War it served as a place for public rallies. In 1936, the club was reorganized into a residence for the Philharmonic society aimed at promoting Azerbaijani classical and folk music. On11 August 1937 after the building underwent renovation it was named after composer Muslim Magomayev.az icon [http://www.philarmonia.az/az/about.shtml The Magomayev Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall] . Official website. Retrieved29 December 2006 ] 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. [ru icon [http://www.baku.ru/pubs/everydaynews/7656_ru.php Out Theatres Had No Luck] by S.Sibirli. "Ezhednevnye Novosti" Newspaper.15 March 2002 . Retrieved30 December 2006 ] 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 asMstislav Rostropovich , a Baku native) was largely misappropriated by the bureaucrats and officials who were in charge of funding the project. [ru icon [http://www.transparency-az.org/files/zig54.pdf The Ghost of the Philharmonic Hall] by Ulviyya Sattarkhan. "Monitor" Magazine.31 January 2004 . Retrieved29 December 2005 ] It was not until November 2002 that the restoration works resumed due to PresidentHeydar Aliyev 's special decree. The openning of the fully renovated building took place on27 January 2004 .tructure
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:
*The
Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra
*TheAzerbaijan State Choir
*TheAzerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra
*TheAzerbaijan State Piano Trio
*TheAzerbaijan State String Quartet
*TheAzerbaijan State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble
*TheAzerbaijan State Folk Instruments Orchestra ee also
*
List of concert halls References
External links
* [http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/ai122_folder/122_articles/122_tour_philharmonic_hall.html The Ali and Nino Walking Tour: Philharmonic Hall] by Betty Blair and Fuad Akhundov. "Azerbaijan International" Magazine. #12.2. Summer 2004
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