Said Ali oglu Rustamov was born in 1907 in Iravan. In 1930, he graduated from the Folk Music Faculty of the Azerbaijan State Conservatory, and in 1932, he graduated from the Azerbaijan Pedagogical Institute.

Since 1931, Said Rustamov had been the concertmaster of the folk instrument orchestra of Azerbaijan Radio, and since 1935, he had been the director and artistic director of the organization. In 1940–1949, he was the artistic director and director of the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic, and in 1943–1948, he was the head of the editorial board of music programs of the Azerbaijan Radio Committee.

S.Rustamov published the books “Azerbaijani dance melodies”, “Five hundred Azerbaijani folk songs”, “Azerbaijani love songs”, “Azerbaijani folk songs”, “Azerbaijani folk colors”. In 1948–1952, he was the chairman of the Union of Azerbaijani Composers, from 1928 he taught in the Baku Music School, in 1958–1983 he taught in tar class at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory. He was elected deputy to the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan many times.

The main works of S.Rustamov are the comedies “Beshmanatlig Gelin”, “The Crane” and “The Chief’s Wife”, “Azerbaijan” cantata for solo, choir and orchestra, “Bayati Kurd” fantasy cantata for folk instruments, concerto for tar and orchestra, “Sunny Azerbaijan” for Azerbaijan song, dance and folk instruments orchestra. He wrote music for dramatic stage productions.

The outstanding composer was awarded the honorary title of “Honored Worker of Arts” in 1938, “People’s Artist” in 1943, and the “Stalin” Prize (USSR State Prize) in 1951. He was awarded the “Red Banner of Labor”, “Friendship of Peoples” and “Badge of Honor” orders and medals.

Said Rustamov died on June 10, 1983 in Baku and was buried in the Alley of Honor.

Nazim Mustafa
Doctor of philosophy in history, recipient of the State Prize