Azerbaijani Soviet composer, conductor, musicologist, publicist, playwright, teacher and public figure, founder of Azerbaijani professional music. In 1899-1904 he studied at the teachers' seminary (Gori), where he mastered playing the violin, cello and wind instruments. In 1911 he came to Moscow with the aim of receiving a systematic musical education. For a year he studied at A. Ilyinsky’s music courses, then at the Conservatory (St. Petersburg). In 1914-1918 he was engaged in journalistic and editorial activities in Azerbaijan. After the establishment of Soviet power (1920) - one of the founders of the music academy and the people's conservatory; created and directed the Azerbaijan Turkic Music School. Vice-rector of the Azerbaijan State Conservatory (since 1926), professor (1940), rector (1928-1929, 1939-1948). In 1931 he organized an orchestra of folk instruments, in 1936 - a state choir. Chairman of the Union of Composers of the Azerbaijan SSR (1938-1948). The premiere of his first and most famous opera “Leyla and Majnun” took place in Baku in 1908. Among his works are 7 operas, operettas (“Arshin Mal Alan”, 1913, etc.), cantatas, choruses, arrangements of folk songs, as well as theoretical study “Fundamentals of Azerbaijani folk music” (1945). Author of the words and music of the anthem of the Azerbaijan SSR and the anthem of Azerbaijan. Full member of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan (1945), People's Artist of the USSR (1938). The name of U. Hajibeyov was given to the Baku Music Academy (until 1991 - a conservatory), the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra, as well as the State Prize for Merit in the Field of Culture established in Azerbaijan. In the city of Shusha, in the house where U. Hajibeyov spent his childhood and youth, his House Museum was opened.
