In 2026, the Sounds of Dutar Foundation will celebrate its anniversary with the 10th Moscow International Arts Festival titled Nury Khalmamedov. A series of concert programs will open on February 22 at 4:00 PM in the music salon of the A.N. Scriabin Memorial Museum. The program, “Music of the Universe and Melody of the Soul,” will feature piano works by Alexander Scriabin and Nury Khalmamedov performed by pianist Elisey Babanov, a member of the festival jury. As reported by the International Information Center.
Alexander Scriabin (1872–1915) was a Russian composer and pianist whose works anticipated musical trends of the 20th century. Nury Khalmamedov (1938–1983) was a Turkmen composer known for his profound lyricism and national character. Khalmamedov highly valued Scriabin, noting in his diaries that Turkmen music was his first teacher, and Scriabin his second.
The concert will feature late piano works by both composers. The first part will feature Scriabin’s Sonata No. 7 and Three Etudes. The evening will culminate with Khalmamedov’s Six Lyrical Pieces for Piano, his final work for the instrument.
Pianist Elisey Babanov is a laureate of international competitions and a graduate of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory (class of Professor S.L. Dorensky). Musicologist and Moscow Conservatory professor Vyacheslav Medushevsky will give an opening address, sharing his reflections on Scriabin’s legacy and memories of Khalmamedov.
The project’s creator and host of the concert is composer and festival artistic director Mamed Guseinov. The event aims to popularize classical art and strengthen cultural ties between Russia and Turkmenistan.
