The Ministry of Culture published an obituary in connection with the passing of People's Artist Tofig Bakikhanov

The Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan has issued an obituary in connection with the passing of People's Artist Tofig Bakikhanov.

As reported by BAKU.WS, the publication states:

"Azerbaijani culture has suffered a great loss. People's Artist, outstanding composer, pedagogue, professor Tofig Bakikhanov passed away on August 23, 2026, at the age of 95.

Tofig Bakikhanov was born on December 8, 1930, in Baku, into the family of the renowned tar player, pedagogue, and People's Artist Ahmed Bakikhanov. He received his education in violin at the ten-year music school (now the Bülbül Secondary Specialized Music School) under the Azerbaijan State Conservatory named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli (Baku Music Academy). In 1953, he graduated from the Azerbaijan State Conservatory with a specialization in violin (class of Alexander Amiton), and in 1957 with a specialization in composition (class of Gara Garayev).

During his student years, Tofig Bakikhanov was engaged in performing activities, appearing as a soloist with the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Symphony Orchestra of Azerbaijan Radio.

The composer, who possessed a rich creative legacy, created three ballets ("Ballad of the Caspian," "Eastern Poem," "Good and Evil"), five symphonic mughams ("Nava," "Shahnaz," "Rahab," "Humayun," "Dugah"), eight symphonies, and about 100 songs and romances. Together with composer Nariman Mammadov, he composed the music for three comedies ("One of the Six Girls Is a Fairy," "Mamadali Goes to a Resort," "The Girl Rushes to a Date"). The composer is also the author of more than 20 sonatas for violin, viola, cello, and flute with piano, trios, quartets, and quintets, as well as 26 concertos for various instruments with symphony orchestra.

Professor Tofig Bakikhanov worked as a pedagogue at the Baku Music Academy for more than half a century, contributing to the training of new generations of musicians.

The outstanding figure of musical art, who harmoniously combined compositional and performing activities in his work, participated in international festivals in France and Northern Cyprus, and gave recitals in Turkey, Iran, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Russia.

Tofig Bakikhanov's contributions to the development of Azerbaijan's musical culture were consistently highly recognized at the state level. He was awarded the honorary titles of "Honored Art Worker" (1973), "People's Artist" (1990), the orders of "Shohrat" (2000), "Sharaf" (2021), and the "Emek" Order of the 1st degree (2025). Since 2002, he received a personal presidential pension.

The staff of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan expresses deep sorrow over the passing of People's Artist Tofig Bakikhanov and extends heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones."