Paris: The world recently commemorated the 140th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibeyli, an eminent figure who profoundly influenced Azerbaijani music. Renowned for his diverse roles as a composer, conductor, musicologist, publicist, playwright, educator, and public figure, Hajibeyli's contributions have left an indelible mark on the musical landscape.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Laure Volpato, a French cellist and president of the L.V. Arts Au Diapason association, expressed her reflections on Uzeyir Hajibeyli's enduring legacy. Since 2020, Volpato has been dedicated to exploring and presenting Azerbaijan's cultural and artistic heritage to audiences in France. Through partnerships with Azerbaijani artists, she has brought this rich heritage to life in venues such as the Cultural Center at the Embassy of Azerbaijan and UNESCO, captivating audiences in Paris and the Yvelines region.

Arts Au Diapason, in collaboration with the Dialogue France-Azerbadjan association, has been instrumental in fostering cultural dialogue and promoting Azerbaijan's unique heritage through Franco-Azerbaijani projects. Volpato highlights Hajibeyli's status as an outstanding composer, the founder of the Azerbaijani musical school, and the creator of Azerbaijan's National Anthem. Additionally, he is celebrated for composing the first opera in the Muslim world and for establishing Azerbaijan's music education system with the founding of the National Conservatory.

Volpato describes performing Hajibeyli's works during the 140th anniversary year as a source of immense joy and inspiration. She emphasizes the profound expressiveness of the composer's musical language, which seamlessly blends Western classical traditions with Azerbaijani national music. Hajibeyli's compositions are characterized by rich harmonies, ornate melodies, and intricate rhythmic structures, creating an artistic space of exceptional power. For Volpato, performing Hajibeyli's music is not only an aesthetic journey but also a deeply spiritual experience, and she considers it an honor to continue the work initiated in France by the composer's brother, Jeyhun Hajibeyli, by introducing the French public to this great master's legacy.