Fargana Qasimova Ensemble

Fargana Qasimova’s talent gravitated naturally toward the music she heard from her father: Azerbaijani classical music, known as mugham, and the repertory of popular bardic songs sung by ashiqs - singer-songwriters who accompany themselves on the saz (a strummed long-necked lute). “There was never any question about my being given to a teacher,” Fargana recalled. “Music was always just a part of everyday life - I sang with my father for fun, and it was only when I was around seventeen years old that I seriously understood that I’d be a musician.” - AKDN

"To be a musician, there has to be a fire burning in you," declares Alim Qasimov, Azerbaijan’s most beloved traditional singer. In these deeply spiritual recordings of Azeri classical mugham and lyrical bardic songs, Alim merges his own consummate musicianship with that of his talented daughter Fargana, and with the energetic accompaniment of a young ensemble performing on tar, kamancha, balaban, oud, and drums. A bonus DVD offers an intimate portrait of the Qasimovs and their musical lives in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital city. 11 tracks, 70 minutes, 40-page colour booklet, photos, musical instrument glossary. - AKDN

The enthusiastically received world premiere performance of the Azerbaijani songs took place at London’s Barbican Centre during Ramadan Nights, the Barbican’s eclectic survey of music from the world of Islam. For the concert, Kronos and Alim Qasimov were joined by Alim’s daughter and musical protégée, Fargana, and his full ensemble of four instrumentalists. The songs were recorded for the present CD the day after the concert. Alim Qasimov succinctly summed up the artistic results: “I think we have planted a tree, and now we have to work to make it grow and bear fruit.
God willing, it will happen.” - AKDN