The Presidential Library has prepared a virtual exhibition dedicated to the life and work of the outstanding composer, People’s Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan and academician Arif Melikov. The exhibition highlights the composer’s rich creative legacy, the principal areas of his artistic activity and his contributions to the development of Azerbaijani musical culture. Arif Melikov was one of the prominent representatives of 20th-century Azerbaijani professional music.

The composer played an important role in the development of the Azerbaijani school of composition, organically combining national musical traditions with a modern compositional style to develop his own distinctive creative voice. His creative legacy encompasses symphonic and vocal-instrumental works, ballets, piano and chamber music, as well as music composed for films. One of the most outstanding examples of the composer’s work is the ballet “The Legend of Love”, which he composed to a libretto by Nazim Hikmet. The ballet premiered in 1961 and was subsequently staged in theatres around the world, bringing Arif Melikov international acclaim.

The virtual exhibition features books, musical scores and research materials reflecting the life and work of Arif Melikov. The publications cover the composer’s symphonic, vocal and piano works, chamber music, the scores of his compositions, the stylistic and performance characteristics of his works, as well as various aspects of his artistic activity. Published in Azerbaijani, Russian and English over the years, these materials provide insight into the various dimensions of the composer’s creative legacy.

The virtual exhibition aims to promote Arif Melikov’s rich creative legacy, bring his contributions to the development of Azerbaijani professional music to the attention of a broad audience, and introduce his artistic legacy to future generations. The presentation of the exhibition in electronic format provides musicologists, researchers, those interested in music and a broad readership with an opportunity to explore Arif Melikov’s work and gain a deeper understanding of his role in Azerbaijani musical culture.