Socialist Realism in Music
5. Hajibeyov
The previous pages are devoted to canonical figures, but we should acknowledge what happens when the musical conservatory tradition inherited by the Soviets is then expanded to the national republics. Amir suggests that we consider the case of Uzeyir Hajibeyov [Гаджибеков], who is generally considered the father of Azerbaijani opera. Here is a clip that speaks to the main themes from the 1936 opera Koroğlu [Кёроглы, The Son of a Blind Man]:
If you are curious, here is an extended scene:
Further clips that Amir will refer to, including commentary:
Алтынчәч / Златовласка / Goldilocks by Назиб Жиганов (Nazib Zhiganov). This is a Tatar opera that played a crucial role in developing of the identity of the Tatars and other Muslim peoples of the Volga region and became a symbol of the struggle against Germany during the Great Patriotic War.
Біржан — Сара / Биржан и Сара / Birzhan and Sara by Мукан Тулебаев (Mukan Tulebaev). Amir refers to this as a Kazakh opera that became a key point in the development of musical art throughout the whole of Central Asia, touching upon many issues common to all nations of the region, a work that has been listed as "national" even outside of Kazakhstan.