Supported by the Ministry of Science and Education and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and organized by the Baku Contemporary Music Society, the “III Baku Contemporary Music Days” Festival will take place from May 19 to 25.

Once again, composers, performers, and music critics working in the field of contemporary music, both from Azerbaijan and abroad, will come together. This year’s edition of the festival continues its mission to strengthen Azerbaijan’s representation in the global contemporary music scene.

The festival program, running from May 19 to 25, will feature performances by local ensembles such as the Cadenza Contemporary Orchestra, the BCMS Ensemble, the Əkinçi Quartet, and the State Symphony Orchestra named after Niyazi, as well as the renowned German contemporary music ensemble Der Gelbe Klang. Works by composers of the 20th and 21st centuries will be performed by leading Azerbaijani musicians — Cavad Cavadzade, Humay Qasımzade, Fatimə Nəsirli, Sənubər Soltanova, Raul Hüseynov, Fəridə Məmmədova, İlham Nəzərli, Mahir Tağızadə, and Elmira Qafarova — alongside guest performers from countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Ukraine, and Russia, including Szilard Benes, Avital Cohen, Evsevii Zubkov, Oleksii Murza, and others.

The festival will consist of morning, afternoon, and evening sessions and will be open to the public. Events will take place at prominent cultural venues, including the State Museum of Azerbaijani Musical Culture, the Gara Garayev House-Museum, the Museum Center, the International Mugham Center, the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall, the Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators, and the Nizami Cinema Center. The program includes workshops and lectures open to both professionals and anyone interested in contemporary music, as well as evening concerts.

The festival program will feature around 40 works, including world premieres. Some of the pieces were composed specifically for this festival.

As per tradition, on the final day of the Baku Contemporary Music Days Festival, a film screening will take place, featuring a documentary about a prominent composer, subtitled in Azerbaijani. This year’s film will be Robert Mugge’s “George Crumb: The Voice of the Whale”. Pre-registration is required for attendance, as seating is limited.

More information about the festival can be found on the official website and social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram).