İlyas Mirzayev
Piano, Composition and Arrangement
İlyas Mirzayev, born in Baku, is a composer and pianist known for his remarkable contributions to classical and jazz music. He received his initial music lessons from his father, Musa Mirzayev, who was one of the prominent Russian composers of his time and a state artist. In 1979, he entered the Composition Department of the Baku Music Academy, where he graduated with honors. After completing his undergraduate degree in 1984, he pursued postgraduate studies in composition at the Moscow Conservatory. Among the artists he worked with, notable figures include Alfred Schnittke, Edison Denisov, and Dimitri Schostakowitsch's student, Jevdet Hajiyev.
Mirzayev's extensive knowledge of orchestration is evident in his works that blend contemporary and Eastern music with a rich and colorful palette, creating velvety tones and a comprehensive harmony. His compositions have been performed by numerous orchestras worldwide, including NDR (Norddeutscher Rundfunk), Wüttembergische Philharmonie, Thüringer Symphoniker, Residentie Orkest (Den Haag), Virtuosi di Praga, and London Mozart Players.
In his concertos, unlike the traditional approach, Mirzayev incorporates solos from Turkish and Azerbaijani musical instruments, complemented by orchestras. Some of his notable works include the Ney Concerto, kanun, ud, and piano concertos, the Black Sea Rhapsody, Rebab Concerto, and the Three Seas Symphony, which have been performed in cities such as Tokyo, Berlin, London, Vienna, Moscow, Paris, Brussels, and Istanbul.
In addition to his classical music compositions, İlyas Mirzayev is also a jazz pianist with significant contributions. He began his journey into jazz music at the age of 16 when he started collaborating with Vagif Mustafa Zadeh, and he followed in the footsteps of the legendary jazz musician Aziza Mustafa Zadeh, who is known as the father of Aziza Mustafa Zadeh. He founded his first jazz band in 1985. A group of musicians from different countries came together to perform their first concert at the Kiev International Music Festival, and they later participated in many jazz festivals. In 1997, he established the International Project group in Turkey, collaborating with Joe Zawinul, one of the pioneers of jazz fusion that blends rock and world music.
İlyas Mirzayev's musical journey has bridged the worlds of classical and jazz, creating a legacy of innovative compositions and performances.