Formation Of Music Criticism In Azerbaijan

"Music criticism" is one of the most important branches of musicology. Its proper level leads to the healthy development of music. Scholars around the world say that music criticism is based on the controversy between the followers of Pythagoras and Aristotle in ancient Greece. Taking this into account, we can say that the basis of music criticism in Azerbaijan also began with various controversies and music gatherings. It is known that Azerbaijan, as in many areas, has made many firsts in the East in the field of culture, especially music. The great scholar, musicologist Safiyaddin Urmavi, who lived and worked in the 13th century, expressed his views on sound in his treatises, his detailed disagreements with other scholars. The French scholar Carra de Vou Urmavi's treatise "Honor" was published in the "Asian" magazine in Paris in 1891. The treatise emphasizes the nature of the discussion and controversy. The scientist Abdulgadir Maragai, who lived and created in the XI-XV centuries, also benefited from the works of his predecessors in his treatises and expressed his attitude to them. For example, in the author's treatise "Sharhul kitabuladvar" is a commentary on Urmavi's famous work "Kitabul-advar". One of the issues touched upon by the scientist in his treatises is the rules of how musicians should behave at meetings and the choice of repertoire by the characteristics of the participants. It should be noted that Urmavi also wrote in "Kabisname" about the rules of conduct of musicians at meetings. In this article, we see that the authors were critical of the behavior of musicians in the assemblies of that time and expressed their written attitude to it. Maragai's treatise Beyjat al-Ruh (The Joy of the Spirit or the One Who Pleases the Soul) is of particular importance among the most scholarly works of the time. This treatise consists of a foreword, ten chapters, and a conclusion. Chapter 10 of this work is about the behavior of a scientist, about the individual and general study and mastery of this science. Thus, in this work, the author gave 12 pieces of advice to musicians about their "behavior and morals" at various meetings. Another prominent Azerbaijani scholar is Mir Mohsun Navvab, who entered Azerbaijani science, culture and literature as a prominent encyclopedist of the 19th century. Although the beginning of Azerbaijani music criticism is associated with the emergence of journalism in our country, we note that it has its origins in the controversy, as in other countries.