The Caspian-Alpine Society is proud to have realized a significant cultural project, providing full organizational and coordination support for the preparation and publication of a scholarly work by our compatriot, the distinguished composer, musicologist, and cultural historian Elmir Mirzoev, who resides in Germany.

Dr. Mirzoev’s work, titled Zwischen Moderne und Archaik: Die aserbaidschanische Musikkultur des 20. Jahrhunderts im Spannungsfeld dreier Imperien (translated as Modernity and Archaism: Azerbaijani Musical Culture of the 20th Century in the Context of Three Empires), represents a unique and profound analysis of Azerbaijani academic music.
This book encompasses the complex and multifaceted cultural history of Azerbaijan over the past two centuries, thoroughly exploring topics related to musical traditions through the lens of art, geopolitics, and the intricate socio-historical processes that have shaped Azerbaijan’s national identity. At the heart of the book are not only the unique musical genres such as Azerbaijani opera and ballet, but also the dynamics of cultural interactions between the Russian, Ottoman, and Persian civilizations.
The book delves into the impact of technology and modernization on Azerbaijani music, revealing the tension between new and traditional approaches. It includes an analysis of the works of prominent composers such as Uzeyir Hajibeyov, whose creativity has become a crucial bridge between ancient traditions and modern musical art.
The publication of this work in Germany, under the academic supervision of the respected Prof. Susanne Frank from the Institute of Slavic Studies at Humboldt University, will be a major contribution to the promotion of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage in the German-speaking world. We are confident that Dr. Mirzoev’s work will serve as a valuable resource and inspire further scholarly research and public interest in Azerbaijan’s rich and diverse cultural history.
This project not only supports academic research but also fosters stronger connections between Azerbaijan and European cultural and academic circles, which is a vital part of the mission of the Caspian-Alpine Society.