Music mix hits the right note at Azerbaijan’s Gabala festival

The Gabala Music Festival in Azerbaijan attracted 200 musicians to the country’s oldest city, situated around 200 kms northwest of the capital Baku.

Farhad Badalbeyli, the artistic director, said: “Our festival features mainly classical music but also Azerbaijani folk music, jazz, and even ballet. The festival aims to attract a wide range of the public. Kids are welcome, even if they are not always quiet. We accept that because we really want them to appreciate good music from a young age.”

All the concerts were free and this year the line-up included the Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra, the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Brass Quintet, Kiev Soloist National Chamber Orchestra and the Vienna Academic Orchestra.

Jeyran Mahmudova, a professor at the Baku Music Academy said: “I believe that this festival plays an important role in the musical education of young people and adults alike. I really think classical music makes people happy.”