The Magic of Mugham in Azerbaijan – a Synthesis of Mysticism and Philosophy
The Magic of Mugham in Azerbaijan – a Synthesis of Mysticism and Philosophy

Summary/Abstract: Mughаm (Azerb. Muğam) is one of the main genres in traditional Azerbaijani music, part of the musical-poetic art of the Azerbaijan nation. The Mughаm combines philosophical poetry with the philosophy of music as a complement to the harmony of being. In 2008 UNESCO proclaimed the Azerbaijani Mugham as one of the masterpieces of verbal and intangible cultural heritage. Muğamat represents a collection of Makams (stations) (in Sufism, degrees on the path to the union with God), part of the Arab, Turkish and Persian traditions, which symbolises the path to perfection. It is related to the mystical-pantheistic philosophy, which relies on love as a philosophical category and is an integral part of the mysticism of Azerbaijan. This philosophy lacks radicalism or opposition between the material and the ideal, the Creator and creation, the rational and irrational. It strives to achieve human excellence while also preserving humanism and tolerance. The post-Soviet period allowed Western audience and scholars to become acquainted with the musical works of Azerbaijani masters of the Mugham and to compare their musical-aesthetic suggestion with German Romanticism. Therefore, this report is an attempt to reveal a little-known component of the contemporary life and the philosophical tradition of Azerbaijan by focusing primarily on the philosophy and magic of the Mugham.

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