Uzeyir  Hajibeyov (1885-1948)

He was an outstanding Azerbaijani composer, pedagogue and public figure. 

Hajibeyov was teh author of the first Azerbaijani operas, including six mugham operas, among them Leyli and Mejnun ( 1908) and the pinnacle of his operas Koroglu (1937); he also wrote musical comedies, cantatas, compositions for chorus and chamber, instrumental compositions, romance and songs.

He was involved in the  establishment of the Music Conservatory, the Academy of Sciences, the Folk Instruments Ensemble and many other fundamental institutions that provide the foundation for a formal music infrastructure in Azerbaijan. He set forth the basic principles of Azerbaijani modal music (mugham) in his book, The Basis of Folk Music in Azerbaijan (1945).

Uzeyir Hajibeyov was a recipient of the highest artistic awards, including the first Azerbaijani musician to be honored with the title People's Artist of the USSR.