Gochag Askarov - Sacred World of Azerbaijani Mugham

Mugham singer Gochag Askarov, a rising star of Azerbaijani traditional music, is captured in a recording of a concert held in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2012 accompanied by a large ensemble.

The repertoire includes classical Mughams, but also Tesnifs (classical songs) and folksongs. The result is a very passionate and intense recording that fully shows the power and the subtleties of Azerbaijani classical music.

Gochag Askarov is at the forefront of toda's generation of Azerbaijani mugham singers, a position that can only be achieved through immense dedication to the art. Still in his early 30s, the expressive and brilliant virtuosity of his voice betray a maturity way beyond his years. With a range of nearly three octaves, his voice has a special quality of subtle intensity, moving the listener with its deep melancholy. His voice is often compared to that of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the late Pakistani qawwali singer.