Gadzhiev, Akhmed Dzhevdet Ismail Ogly

Born June 5 (18), 1917, in the city of Nukha, now Sheki. Soviet composer. People’s Artist of the Azerbaiian SSR (1960). Member of the CPSU since 1951.

Between 1935 and 1938, Gadzhiev studied at the Azerbaijan Conservatory (Baku) in the class of L. M. Rudol’f. In 1947 he graduated from D. D. Shostakovich’s class at the Moscow Conservatory and began teaching at the Azerbaijan Conservatory (from 1957 to 1969, rector; since 1963, professor). With K. Karaev, Gadzhiev composed the patriotic opera Veten (The Motherland, staged in 1945; State Prize of the USSR, 1946). He has devoted particular attention to symphonic works and has written five symphonies (including In Memory of Lenin, 1956), the symphonic poem For Peace! (1951; State Prize of the USSR, 1952), an Azerbaijani suite, and a small symphony. His compositions also include oratorios and works for string quartet, piano, and chorus. Gadzhiev has been awarded two orders as well as medals.