A biographical and creative overview of Uzeyir Hajibeyli

1885, September 5(18) - Uzeyir Hajibeyli was born into the family of Abdulhuseyn bey Hajibeyov and Shirinbeyim khanim Hajibeyova.

1897 - In Shusha, under the initiative and leadership of A. Hagverdiyev, Uzeyir Hajibeyli participated as a member of the choir in the musical scene titled “Majnun on Leyli’s Tomb”, which was staged based on M. Fuzuli’s poem “Leyli and Majnun”.
1899 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli graduated from the Russian-Tatar school in Shusha, which was headed by Hashim bey Vazirov.
1899, August - Uzeyir Hajibeyli was admitted to the Gori Teachers’ Seminary.

1904, June - Uzeyir Hajibeyli graduated from the Gori Teachers’ Seminary and received a diploma as a primary school teacher.

1904-1905 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli worked as a teacher at the Hadrut village school, where he taught Russian language, arithmetic, history, and music.

1905 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli moved to the city of Baku and began his literary and journalistic activities, working as a translator for the newspaper “Hayat” (“Life”).
1905, December 17 - Since that day, he became a contributor to the newspaper “Irshad”, which had just begun publication.

1905-1907 - He worked as a teacher of native language, Russian language, mathematics, geography, and music at the Bibiheybet village school near the city of Baku.
1907 - He began working on the opera “Leyli and Majnun”. “The Turkish-Russian and Russian-Turkish Dictionary of Political, Legal, Economic, and Military Terms Used in the Press” compiled by Uzeyir Hajibeyli was published at the printing house of the Orujov brothers. He also authored the book “Arithmetic Problems”.

1908, Janury 12 - The premiere of the opera “Leyli and Majnun”, which established the foundation of professional Azerbaijani music, was held. Uzeyir bey continued his journalistic activities at the editorial office of the newspaper “Irshad”. Additionally, Uzeyir Hajibeyli taught Russian language, arithmetic, and natural science at the Saadat school, established by the Muslim Charity Society of the same name.

1908, July 3 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli collaborated with the newspaper “Taraggi” (“Progress”). After Ahmad bey Aghayev went abroad on June 28, 1909, Uzeyir Hajibeyli served as the editor of the newspaper until October of the same year, when it was shut down by the Tsarist government.

1909, November 30 - The premiere of the opera “Sheikh Sanan” took place in Baku.
1909, December 20 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli married Maleyka khanim Teregulova.

1909, December 25 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli was the publisher and chief editor of the newspaper “Hagigat” (“Truth”), published in Baku, and led the newspaper until its 121st issue.
1910, May 24 - The premiere of the musical comedy “Husband and Wife” took place in Baku.

1910, May 30 - He resigned from the position of editor of the newspaper “Hagigat” (“Truth”).

1910, November 12 - The premiere of the opera “Rustam and Sohrab” took place in Baku.
1911, April 25 - The premiere of the musical comedy “If Not That One, Then This One” took place in Baku.

1912, March 10 - The premiere of the opera “Shah Abbas and Khurshidbanu” took place in Baku.

1912, May 18 - The premiere of the opera “Asli and Kerem” took place in Baku.

1912, September - Uzeyir Hajibeyli proceeded to Moscow to undertake formal musical education, enrolling in Ilyinsky’s specialized music course affiliated with the Moscow Philharmonic Society. Satirical stories and feuilletons dispatched from Moscow were subsequently published in the newspaper “Igbal” (“Prosperity”).

1913-- Due to financial difficulties, Uzeyir Hajibeyli was compelled to discontinue his musical studies in Moscow and return to Baku.
1913, August- Uzeyir Hajibeyli traveled to Saint Petersburg in preparation for his admission to the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. During this period, he was engaged in composing the musical comedy “Arshin Mal Alan”.

1913, October - The premiere of the musical comedy “Arshin Mal Alan” was held in Baku.

1914, January 4 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli was admitted to the Saint Petersburg Conservatory.
1914, June- Uzeyir Hajibeyli discontinued his studies and returned to Baku. He worked on the opera “Harun and Leyla”.
1915- The libretto of the opera “Harun and Leyla” was published.

1915, September 18 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli began working as the editor of the newspaper “Yeni Igbal” (“New Prosperity”).
1915, October 11 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli was the owner and chief editor of the newspaper “Yeni Igbal” (“New Prosperity”).
1916, February 19 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli distanced himself from the newspaper “Yeni Igbal” (“New Prosperity”).
1918, June-September - Uzeyir Hajibeyli led the tour of Azerbaijani opera artists to the Iranian cities of Anzali and Rasht.
1918, October - Uzeyir Hajibeyli began collaborating with the newspaper “Azerbaijan”.

1919, January 16 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli was appointed as the editor of the newspaper “Azerbaijan” and served in this position until April 28, 1920.
1920 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli submitted a report to the People’s Commissar for Education on the necessity of establishing a music academy and a national conservatory, as well as allocating the buildings of former music schools to these institutions. He also organized a folk instruments orchestra under the Women’s Club (later named after A. Bayramov).
1920, October 20 - He submitted a report to the People’s Commissariat for Education on the establishment of an Eastern music department at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory.
1921- He was appointed as the head of the music division within the arts department of the People’s Commissariat for Education.
1921, May 25 - He submitted a report to the People’s Commissar for Education regarding the reorganization of the Azerbaijan State Conservatory. This report was approved as the program for the establishment of the Conservatory.
1921, December 12 - He initiated a proposal on the necessity of opening a percussion instruments class at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory.
1922-1924- Uzeyir Hajibeyli led the Azerbaijan State Turkish Music School, which was established on his own initiative. He was also involved in the repertoire commission of the Azerbaijan State Drama Theater.
1925- Uzeyir Hajibeyli was elected as a deputy to the Baku Workers’ People’s Deputies Soviet. Under his leadership, the musical comedy “Arshin Mal Alan” was staged by the students of the Azerbaijan State Turkish Music Technical School.
1926- The Azerbaijan State Turkish Music Technical School was merged with the Azerbaijan State Conservatory. Uzeyir Hajibeyli was appointed as the vice-rector of the Conservatory. He also took the initiative to organize a polyphonic student choir under the Conservatory.
1927- The collection “Azerbaijan Turkish Folk Songs’ was published under the general editorship of Uzeyir Hajibeyli and Muslim Magomayev. The compilers of the collection were U. Hajibeyli, M. Magomayev, and Z. Hajibeyov.
1928, May 6 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli delivered a report on the topic “Ashig Art” at the First Congress of Azerbaijani Ashigs. He was appointed as the rector of the Azerbaijan State Conservatory and served in this position until 1929.
1930-1938- He served as a teacher and head of the Department of Azerbaijani Folk Music at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory.
1931- Uzeyir Hajibeyli organized the first notated Azerbaijani Folk Instrument Orchestra.
1932-1936- Uzeyir Hajibeyli worked on the opera “Koroghlu”.
1934- Uzeyir Hajibeyli was elected as a member of the Union of Azerbaijani Composers. He delivered a report at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory on the topic “The Prospects of the Tar and Kamancha in Higher Education”.
1935- Uzeyir Hajibeyli was awarded the honorary title of “Honored Art Worker of the Azerbaijan SSR”.
1936- Uzeyir Hajibeyli organized the Azerbaijan State Choir.
1937, February 15 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli was elected chairman of the Azerbaijan SSR Composers’ Union.
1937, April 30 - The premiere of the opera “Koroghlu” was staged in Baku. Uzeyir Hajibeyli was awarded the honorary title of “People’s Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR”.
1937, December - Uzeyir Hajibeyli was elected as a deputy to the First Convocation of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
1938- Uzeyir Hajibeyli participated in the Azerbaijani Art Decade in Moscow. He was awarded the honorary title of “People’s Artist of the USSR” and was decorated with the Order of Lenin.
1939- Uzeyir Hajibeyli was appointed as the rector of the Azerbaijan State Conservatory. He was elected as a member of the organizing committee of the First Congress of the USSR Composers’ Union.
1940- He delivered a report on the topic “Fundamentals of Azerbaijani Folk Music”at the Moscow Conservatory named after P. I. Tchaikovsky. Uzeyir Hajibeyli was awarded the title of professor.
1941- Uzeyir Hajibeyli was awarded the Stalin Prize for the opera “Koroghlu”. He was elected as a deputy to the Second Convocation of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
1941, June - Uzeyir Hajibeyli was appointed as the head of patronage activities in the field of artistic service to the army in the republic.
1942- He delivered a speech at a conference on the performance of mugham and folk songs.
1943- The opera “Koroghlu” was staged in Russian at the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.
1944- He was appointed head of the Art Department of the Azerbaijan Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences. He also chaired the jury of the Republic’s Young Performers Competition.
1944, December- Uzeyir Hajibeyli was one of the organizers of the Transcaucasian Republics Music Decade held in Tbilisi and served as the artistic director of the Azerbaijani delegation. The Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra was named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli.
1945- Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s monograph “Fundamentals of Azerbaijani Folk Music” was published. Uzeyir Hajibeyli was elected a full member of the Azerbaijan SSR Academy of Sciences. He was awarded the Order of the “Red Banner of Labour”.
1945, September- The 60th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s birth was celebrated. Uzeyir Hajibeyli was appointed director of the Institute of Arts of the Azerbaijan SSR Academy of Sciences.
1945, December - He was elected as a member of the jury for the All-Union Competition of Music Performers.
1946- Uzeyir Hajibeyli was awarded the Stalin Prize as the composer of the music for the film “Arshin Mal Alan”.
1948, November 23 - Uzeyir Hajibeyli passed away.