Vazha
Azarashvili

Vazha Azarashvili

(1936)

 

Vazha Azarashvili – Georgian musician, composer and teacher. Honored Worker of Art (1979), People’s Artist of Georgia (1988), Knight of the Order of Honor (1998), Honorary Citizen of Tbilisi.

Date of birth – July 13, 1936

Place of birth – Tbilisi, Georgia

 

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA

Vazha Azarashvili was born in a family of folk music lovers. He received his musical education at the IV Music School (composition class of Professor Alexander Shaverzashvili) and Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatory (composition class of Professor Iona Tuskia).

1964 – graduated from the post–graduate studies of the conservatory under the guidance of Yona Tuskia and Andria Balanchivadze;

Along with creative work, Vazha Azarashvili is also engaged in pedagogical activities:

Since 1961 – Teacher in the II and III music schools (musical–theoretical disciplines);

Since 1974 – Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatory (orchestral discipline) –  Teacher ;

Since 1988 – Professor of the Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatory;

 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

1998 – 2007 – Chairman of the Union of Composers of Georgia;

1974 – Komsomol prize of the Georgia

1979 – Honored Art Worker of the Georgia

1982 – Prize of the Council of Ministers of the Georgia

1988 – People’s Artist of the Georgia

1998 – Yakob Gogebashvili Prize

1998 – Order of Honor

1999 – Honorary Citizen of Tbilisi

2003 – Zakaria Paliashvili Prize

2004 – State Prize of Georgia

Vazha Azarashvili

(1936)

 

SELECTED WORKS

MUSIC FOR THEATRE

1980 – “Khevisberi”, – Ballet in Two Acts. (Libretto – B. Monavardisashvili)

1969 – “Ninth Wave”, – Operetta in Three Acts. (Libretto M. Gogiashvili)

1973 – “Seven Brothers from Gurjaani” – Musical Comedy in Three Acts – (Libretto M. Tarkhnishvili)

1975 – “Boy” – Musical Comedy in Two Acts – (Libretto M. Potskhishvili)

1980 – “Dance Teacher” – Operetta in Three Acts – (Libretto L. Chubabria)

1982- “Solomon Isakich Mejganuashvili” – Operetta in Two Acts– (Libretto M. Tarkhnishvili)

1982 – “Gabo the Shoemaker” – Musical Comedy

 

ORCHESTRAL MUSIC

1966 – Symphony

1967 – Solemn Overture

1986 – Chamber Symphony

1987 – Symphony No. 3

 

Pieces for Orchestra

1964 – 2 Pieces for Chamber Orchestra – “Aria”, “Humoreska”

1987 – “Nocturne” for Symphonic Orchestra

1987 – “Nocturne” for Chamber Orchestra

1987 – “Nocturne” for Various Instruments…

1989 – “Elegy”

1992 – “Nostalgy”

1996 – “Waltz and Can-Сan”

1963 – Concertino for Woodwind Quartet, Drums and String Orchestra

1967 – 1972 – 2001 – Concertos No.1, No.2, No.3 – for Violin and Symphonic Orchestra

1968 – Concerto – for Flute and Chamber Orchestra

1969 – Concerto – for Cello and Chamber Orchestra

1973 – Concerto – for Viola and Symphony Orchestra

1978 – Concerto – for Trumpet and Symphony Orchestra

1996 – “Retro” – for Piano and Symphony Orchestra

1996 – “Memorial dedication to S. Rachmaninov” – for Violin and Orchestra

2001 – “Sentimental Tango” – for Violin and Orchestra

2005 – Concerto for Symphony Orchestra

2003 – “Fantasy on themes of old Tbilisi” – for Cello Ensemble

 

VOCAL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

1961 – “Pages of Life” – Vocal Symphonic Poem

1970 – “Ballad about the Unreturned Hero” – for mixed Choir of Soloists and Symphony Orchestra

1995 – “Confession of the Poet”.  Vocal cycle for Baritone and Symphonic Orchestra

1976 – Vocal cycle for Ban and Piano

1980 – “Theatrical Masks” for Tenor and Piano

1995 – “The Poet”s Confession”, vocal cycle for Baritone and Piano

2001 – “Oriental Stanzas” for Vocal,  Cello and Piano

2007 – “If I didn’t have You”.  Vocal cycle for Basso and Piano

2014 – Vocal cycle for Tenor, Violin, Cello and Piano

 

CHAMBER INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

1980 – “Old Tbilisi Pictures”. Pieces for String Quartet

1996 – “Retro” for two Pianos

1999 – 2002 – String Quartet No.1 (new edition) No.2

1959 – Piano Trio

1978 – Quintet for Wind Instruments

2007 – Piano Quintet

1961 – 2007 – 2012 – Sonatas for Violin and Piano No. 1, N 2, N 3

1999 – 1976 – Sonatas for Cello and Piano No.1 (new edition) No. 2

1975 – Sonata for two Violins and Piano

1976 – Sonata for Clarinet and Piano

1979 – Sonatina for Piano

1979 – Sonata for two Violas

1994 – Duet for two Violins

1995 – Sonata for solo Violin

2005 – Sonata for Solo Cello

2006 – 5 Preludes for Violin and Piano

2006 – 5 preludes for Cello and Piano

2007 – Sonata for Flute and Piano

Also, Pieces for Solo Piano and Piano Duets – for Various Instruments. Also Vocal Pieces, Choirs, Romances

Pop songs – author of more than 300 songs. Including: “Music”, “Days go by”, “Little Girl”, “The Sun is my friend”, “It’s Raining again”, “The Song is all I Have”, “Dinamo, Dinamo”…

 

MUSIC FOR MOVIES AND THEATRE

The author of music for more than 40 performances, including: “Bericoni” “My Eiffel Tower” “Aprakune Chimchimeli”, “The Lost Time,” “Secret of the Fortress”, “Two Masters Servant”, “Tsangala”, “Love for Three Oranges” …

 

FILMOGRAPHY

1973 – “The Sun in Autumn”, – directed by T. Palavandishvili

1985 – “Khanuma”, – directed by A. Tsutsunava. The silent movie. (1926), Restored

1987 – “The case of Tariel Mklavadze” – directed by I. Perestian. – The silent movie. (1935), Restored

1987 – “Long Live Georgian Football”! – directed by A. Jgenti

 

The National Centre of Manuscripts secured Vazha Azarashvili’s personal collection in the archival fund

Vazha Azarashvili

(1936)

 

Vazha Azarashvili has long won the title of “People’s Composer” for a long time, according to his song compositions. and unique tonality! The formation of Vazha Azarashvili’s compositional style appeared in the 1960s, a time when significant changes in Georgian art were taking place. Some Georgian composers were strongly influenced by the outcomes of the “newly discovered” 20th century’s latest trends and directions, artistic ideas, and technological methods. Vazha Azarashvili mastered both traditional leadership compositional principles and the accomplishments of the “progressive wing.” His creative handwriting, based on national root system and equipped with modern means of expression, was thus established. Vazha Azarashvili’s contributions to Georgian professional music are numerous. This mainly applies to instrumental, chamber-instrumental, and vocal music. The name Vazha Azarashvili is linked to the rise of Georgian instrumental concerts. His works are: three-violin, cello concerto, viola concerto, piano concerto, and trumpet concerto. The existence of the specifics of each instrument, its peculiarities, their implantation with their national colouring, and their understanding in the modern context determined the artistic value of these works. Concertello (1969), the composer’s first universal success, brings attention to the appearance of the timbre tones, the harmonic language, and the intriguingly dramatic vision. His creative path is preceded by these qualities. The cello concerto has gained international recognition and still attracts performers and listeners today. The viola concerto (1973), which is distinguished by its original means of expression, was inspired by modern compositional processes. In this work, the author pushes stylistic boundaries by synthesizing classical and jazz music. The orchestra’s structure is different; in addition to the string ensemble, there are flutes, clarinets, harpsichords, vibraphones, percussion instruments, and jazz instruments. Not only does the work include a pure jazz episode with its rhythmic-harmonic sound, but the composer also uses improvisational techniques inspired by this field, which he uses to depict musical ideas in his late works. Vazha Azarashvili’s impact to Georgian chamber music is significant. It’s the first approach worth looking into.”

“In this young man I see the real musician… his trio is a work written with taste,” Dmitry Shostakovich once said about the piano trio (1959). The string quartet’s performance of “Pictures of Old Tbilisi” drew widespread attention. The composer contributed significantly to the genre of instrumental sonata. 3 Sonatas for Violin and Piano, 2 Sonatas for Violin and Piano, 1 Piano Sonata, 2 Sonatas for Violin and Piano are among his works. Sonatas for clarinet and piano, Sonata for two violas, Sonata for flute and piano, and so on. Different works with different content and writing styles, written at different times, all have the same goal – to turn a brilliant idea into a logical framework, and to maximize the instrument’s capabilities and get it onto the nationwide rails. The composer was actively involved in the field of musical theater during the 1970s and 1990s. He created seven operettas such as (the “Ninth Wave,” “Seven Brothers from Gurjaani,” and musical (“Mechekme Gabo”) as well. The ballet “Khevisberi Gocha” was written by Vazha Azarashvili (according to the story of Alexander Kazbegi, the libretto of Bakar Monavardisashvili). The heroic-romantic genre’s works were a continuation of the Georgian ballet music tradition. The work also contains a number of interesting novelties and findings. The expression of pure ballet musical language based on national dance elements is one of the most important results of the composer’s mastery. The episodes are created with a color tonality palette, and the choral sound is used effectively. Vazha Azarashvili enriched Georgian chamber vocal music with impressive cycles. The vocal cycle for bath and piano on the text of Shota Nishnianidze is characterized by a philosophical contemplation, and the theatrical feedback of Tbilisi is achieved. The cello sonata (2005) and the piano quintet were the announcers of the composer’s new phase of work (2007). These works displaying a corresponding transformation in the composer’s thinking and handwriting period. These works were the result of a time consuming transformation of the composer’s cognition! Here, the author’s growing notion of self, the search for form, and manifest himself! These two pieces were regarded as the achievement of Georgian professional music. Azarashvili’s novels, songs, and music have a special charm for movies, and orchestral plays such as “Nocturne,” “Elegy,” “Nostalgia,” and others have the same charm. The intense sound of their live performances increase the popularity not only Vazha Azarashvili as a composer but Georgian professional music in general!

 

Musicologist
Tamar Tsulukidze
English Language Translator
Tamar Kharadze