Analysis of some dance themes in the piano works of Gara Garayev and Fikret Amirov

Abstract

Appeal to the dance genre is often observed in the piano works of Azerbaijani
composers. This can be especially seen in small miniatures and plays within the cycle. Composers
Gara Garayev and Fikret Amirov, who pay special attention to piano music, have a number of such
plays. The presented article is devoted to the use of the dance genre in the piano cycles of
G.Garayev and F. Amirov. The dance genre in piano music rather appears in miniature forms. In the
piano cycles of Azerbaijani composers, as well as in individual pieces, dance shows itself as a
feature of both genre and figurative-emotional content. The article analyzes G.Garayev’s “Little
Waltz” from “Six Pieces for Children” cycle, F.Amirov's pieces of “Sevil’s Dance” from “12
Miniatures” and “Children's Pictures” cycles were included in the analysis. During the analysis, the mediums of expression of the form, harmonic and melodic language of pieces, as well as the use of
characteristic features of dance music were brought into focus. The analysis also takes into account
the modal and intonation characteristics of the plays. It was revealed that the melodic style of the
pieces included in the analysis is formed by two important factors. Here is the nature of the melody
of individual genres of folk dance; in general, a common melodic style derived from folk dance
instrumentalism and the individual melodic style of composers. These three factors act as a unity in
the melody of the plays and determine the melodic style of the miniatures.