Azerbaijani and Turkmen music meet in Ashgabat: composer Nepesov gifts "Baku Tango" to the fraternal people

A concert marking Azerbaijan's Victory Day and State Flag Day took place at the Magtymguly National Music and Drama Theatre in Ashgabat. Azerbaijani and Turkmen music shared the programme, and the evening included the premiere of "Baku Tango" by composer Rovshen Nepesov.

Nepesov wrote the piece after attending a meeting of composers from Turkic-speaking countries in Baku in September 2026. He made the tango as a gift to the Azerbaijani people, inspired by the rhythm of life in Baku, its people and its nature. His arrangement of the Azerbaijani folk song "Azerbaijan maraly" won a prize at the 5th composers' festival in New York in September.

Azerbaijan's ambassador to Turkmenistan, Gismat Gozalov, told the audience that Victory Day symbolises Azerbaijan's sovereignty and national unity. Nepesov's orchestra played a medley of melodies from both nations. Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan Illakha Efendiyeva, Turkmen People's Artist Atajan Berdyyev and Begench Moshiyev, laureate of the "Golden Age of the Turkmen" State Prize, sang well-known songs. Clarinettist Nariman Huseynov played the music of the dance "Uzun-dere", and eight-year-old Geldi Gatyyev performed Tofig Guliyev's waltz.

The repertoire also included works by Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Gara Garayev, Fikret Amirov and the Turkmen composer Danatar Khydyrov.