Rauf Hajiyev
Birth date:
15 May 1922
Death date:
19 September 1995
Rauf Hajiyev was born in Baku. He was blind until the age of three, but his eyesight was restored later. From the age of four, he was under the care of Garibsoltan khanum Malikova, daughter of Hasan bey Zardabi.
He studied at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory (1953, class of Gara Garayev).
He worked as the organizer and leader of the Azerbaijan State Pop Orchestra (1956-1965), director of the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic (1964-1965), Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan (1965-1971), secretary of the Azerbaijan Composers' Union (1971-1979), first secretary (1979-1985). During his tenure as minister, the Azerbaijan State Choir Chapel, the Song Theater, the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble, and the Carpet Weaving Museum were opened.
He wrote 7 operettas. The operettas "Romeo is my neighbor", "My Cuban love", "Caucasian sister-in-law", and "Mother, I'm getting married" gained fame. Vocal creativity, especially lyrical, patriotic songs, played an important role in the development of Azerbaijani music.
Honored Artist (1960), People's Artist (1964), People's Artist of the USSR (1978) Rauf Hajiyev died in 1995 and was buried in the Alley of Honor.
