Faraj Karaev

Internet Edition compiled by Onno van Rijen

Updated 14 January 2007

Born

19 December 1943 in Baku (Azerbaijan).

Education

Karaev studied at the conservatory of his home town, in the composition class of his father Kara Karaev, graduating from his studies there after a two-year period of practice in 1966.

Style

Karaev, who considers Stravinsky and Anton Webern as his great examples, was inititally interested in Western-style post-serial techniques (as in his 'Concerto Grosso to the memory of Anton Webern'). Later on he incorporated elements of Azerbaijani music-making ('mughams') in his work. His 'Sonata for two players'(1976) displays a major influence of minimal music. In his latest works he makes use of non-musical sounds (also tapes) as a means of musical dramaturgic expression.

Works

Sonata for piano No. 1 (1965)

Sonata for piano No. 2 (1967)

Concerto Grosso to the Memory of Anton Webern for chamber orchestra (1967)

"The Shadows of Kobustan", ballet in one act after R. Akhundova and M. Mamedov (1969)

"The Shadows of Kobustan", suite from the ballet (1970)

"Kaleidoscope", ballet in one act after I. Dadashidze and R. Akhundova (1970)

"Kaleidoscope", suite from the ballet (1971)

LP Melodiya M10 27271 004: All-Union Radio Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra, Rauf Abdullaev (cond)
Concerto for piano and chamber orchestra No. 1 (1973-1974)

"The Morning of the Third Day", opera after Jean Anouilh's Euridice (1975)

Sonata for two players (three pianos, vibraphone, bells and tape) (1976)

LP Melodiya C10 15175-76 005: Jakhangir Karaev & Akif Abdullaev
CD Melodiya MEL CD 10 01023: Jakhangir Karaev & Akif Abdullaev
"Journey to Love", monodrama for soprano, flute, clarinet, vibraphone, piano, prep. piano, bells, jazz quartet, chamber orchestra and tape (1978)

Tristessa II for symphony and chamber orchestra (1980)

"La Quinta del Sordo (Goya)", symphony for mixed chorus, boys'chorus and large orchestra (1980)

Composed together with Kara Karayev.
Tristessa I "Farewell Symphony" for chamber orchestra (1981-1982)
LP Melodiya C10 28337 002: Azerbajdzhanian State Academic Symphony Orchestra named after Uz. Gadgibekov, Rauf Abdullaev (cond)
CD Melodiya MEL CD 10 01023: Azerbajdzhanian State Academic Symphony Orchestra named after Uz. Gadgibekov, Rauf Abdullaev (cond)
"I Say Good-bye to Mozart at the Carlsbridge of Prague", serenade for orchestra (1982)

"1791", serenade for small orchestra (1983)

LP Melodiya C10 22547 002: Chamber Orchestra of the Azerbajdzhanian State Conservatory Opera Studio, Rauf Abdullaev (cond)
CD Melodiya MEL CD 10 01023: Chamber Orchestra of the Azerbajdzhanian State Conservatory Opera Studio, Rauf Abdullaev (cond)
"Waiting for Godot", scenic music for bassoon, trombone, violoncello, double bass and instrumental ensemble (1983-1986)
Version for four soloists and chamber orchestra in 1986.
"In Memoriam Alban Berg", suite for string quartet in six parts (1984)

"... A Crumb of Music for George Crumb" for chamber ensemble (1985)

LP Melodiya C10 30591 005: Ensemble of Soloists of the Azerbajdzhanian State Academic Symphony Orchestra named after Uz. Gadgibekov, Rauf Abdullaev (cond)
CD Megadisc MDC 7852: Studio for New Music Moscow, Igor Dronov (cond)
Terminus, for cello solo (1987)

"1967-1987", Concerto for piano and orchestra No. 2 (1987)

After the Violin Concerto of Kara Karayev.
Chamber Concerto for wind quintet (1988)

"Sounds of a Sad Night" for chamber ensemble (nine players) (1989)

CD Megadisc MDC 7852: Studio for New Music Moscow, Igor Dronov (cond)
Chamber Concerto for eight instrumentalists (1989)

"Alla Nostalgia", chamber concerto for flute, clarinet, horn, violin, viola and cello (1989)

In memory of Andrey Tarkovsky.

CD Melodiya MEL CD 10 01023: BaKaRA ensemble

Four Postludes for orchestra (1990)

"The (Moz)art of Elite", postludium for orchestra (1990)

Postludium I for piano (1990)

Postludium II for piano, double bass and string quartet (1991)

CD Megadisc MDC 7852: Studio for New Music Moscow, Igor Dronov (cond)
"From ...", three fragments for clarinet/bassethorn/bass clarinet and vibraphone/marimbaphone (1991)

"The State of Things" for ensemble and tape (1991)

"Music for the City of Forst" for two pianos (1991)

Postludium III for 2 pianos (eight-handed) (1991)

"Ist it enough?..." for chamber ensemble, violoncello solo, soprano and tape (1993)

Postludium IV for two pianos four hands (1994)

CD Megadisc MDC 7852: Studio for New Music Moscow, Igor Dronov (cond)
Music for Jacqueline and Peter for vibraphone/marimba and piano (1997)

... Monsieur Bee Line, eccentric for piano (1997)

"Xutba", mugam ve sura for ensemble (1997)

Postludium V-VII for different instrumental groups (1993-1998)

Five Pieces with Canons of Arnold Schönberg for ensemble (1998)

For clarinet/bass clarinet, mandoline, guitar and string trio.

CD Megadisc MDC 7852: Studio for New Music Moscow, Igor Dronov (cond)
CD Musiques Suisses CTS-M 87: Ensemble TaG

"(K)ein Kleines Schauspiel" for two guitars and bass flute (1998)

... A Crumb of Music for George Crumb, for ensemble (1998)

"Schönheit – Utopie?" for solo guitar (1999)

"Are You Alive Yet, Herr Minister??!!" for solo violin (2000)

"Ton und verklärung" for orchestra and tape (2000)

"Verklärung und Tod" for orchestra and tape (2001)

"Malheur Me Bat" for voice and guitar (2001)

"Cancion de Cuna" for soprano and ensemble (2001)

Lyrics by Federico Garcia Lorca.
"Are You Alive Yet, Herr Minister???!!!" for ensemble (2001)

"Malheur Me Bat" for two choruses a cappella (2001)

Postludium VIII for clarinet, piano and string quartet behind the stage (2001)

"Babylon Tower" for ensemble (2002)

"Outsider Little Performance on Ivan Akhmetiev's Text (2002)

CD Melodiya/Pro Arte (2 CD-set): Ensemble of the Pro Arte Institute, Youth Chamber Choir of Saint-Petersburg, Fedor Lednev (cond), Dmitry Skazhenik (tenor)
Stafette for percussion ensemble (2003)

"Malheur Me Bat" for two marimbas and two vibraphones (2003)

... Monsieur Bee Line, eccentric or Are You Alive Yet, Herr Minister?! for flute and piano (2003)

Postludium IX for vibraphone/bells and organ (2003)

Postludium X für ensemble reconsil wien for piano, clarinet and flute, trombone, violin and cello behind the stage (2004)

Ceremonial Fanfares for solo trombone (2004)

On the opening of the World Days of Music in Switzerland.
Concerto for orchestra and solo violin (2004)

Postludium VIIIa for clarinet, piano and violin and cello behind the stage (2004)

Hommage à Alexei Lubimov for ensemble (2004)

Three Bagatelles for solo piano and five (six) instruments (2003-2005)

Thanks to Robert Avak

For more information please check Faraj Karaev's website

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