Sounds of the Land of Fire
International Music Competition
Dedicated to Uzeyir Hajibeyli
"Sounds of the Land of Fire"
İnternational Music Competition
The 2025 edition is dedicated to the legacy of
Uzeyir Hajibeyli
"Sounds of the Land of Fire" International Music Competition was established in October 2021 by the Azerbaijani Academic Association in Austria. This unique event brings together exceptionally talented pianists from around the world, serving as a cultural bridge between East and West. The inaugural competition was successfully held on May 21, 2022, in Vienna, Austria.
Uzeyir Hajibeyli
Uzeyir Hajibeyli (September 18, 1885 – November 23, 1948) was an outstanding Azerbaijani composer, conductor, musicologist, publicist, playwright, educator, and public figure.
He was born in the village of Aghjabadi, but his family soon moved to Shusha, the cultural center of Azerbaijan. Hajibeyov received his education at the Gori Teachers' Seminary, where he mastered the violin, cello, and wind instruments.
In 1908, he composed "Leyli and Majnun," the first opera in the Muslim East, laying the foundation for Azerbaijani opera. His operetta "Arshin Mal Alan" (1913) gained worldwide fame and was translated into many languages. Hajibeyli is also the author of the opera "Koroghlu(1937), which became a masterpiece of Azerbaijani music.
He made significant contributions to the development of national music education by founding Azerbaijan’s first music school and a national folk instrument orchestra.
His works, such as "The Principles of Azerbaijani Folk Music" (1945), became fundamental in the study of national musical folklore.
Due to his innovative approach and synthesis of Eastern and Western musical traditions, Hajibeyov is rightfully considered the founder of modern Azerbaijani professional music.
The Philosophy of the Competition's Logo
Fire
Musical Notes
Piano Keyboard
Goals of the Competition
Support for Young Talents
The competition offers young performers the opportunity to showcase their skills on an international stage.
Encouragement of Cultural Exchange
The platform facilitates interaction among musicians from various countries, enriching their creative experiences and broadening their horizons.
Introduction to Azerbaijani music
The competition provides participants and audiences with the opportunity to explore Azerbaijan's rich musical heritage and the works of renowned composers such as Uzeyir Hajibeyli.
Distinctiveness of the Competition
International Jury
Panel
The inclusion of distinguished musicians and professors from different countries in the jury panel guarantees objectivity and top-level assessments.
One of the most famous cultural capitals of the world
The competition is held in Vienna, a city renowned for its musical traditions, which adds a unique atmosphere to the event.
Focus on Azerbaijani Music
The requirement for participants to perform works by Azerbaijani composers sets the competition apart from other international music contests.
Prizes
1st Place Prize
€1500
2nd Place Prize
€1000
3rd Place Prize
€500
Best Performance of an Azerbaijani Composition
€350
