Early Life and Education

Born in 1929 into a judge’s family, Oqtay Zulfuqarov entered Music School No. 1 in 1945 to study cello. He completed the seven-year program in just two years and continued at the A. Zeynalli Music College. Without a piano at home, he composed at night in the classroom and won prizes at song competitions held across the republic. After a period in the State Conservatory’s cello class, he was admitted without exams to Prof. Gara Garayev’s composition studio.

Becoming a Composer

While a third-year student in 1957, his piano trio received acclaim at the Congress of Azerbaijani Composers. In 1958, upon graduating from Garayev’s class, he began composing a cycle of songs for children on his teacher’s advice.

Works: Operas, Symphonies, Theatre and Film Music

Alongside children’s songs, he wrote the operas “Giz-ulduz”, “The Cat and the Sparrow” and “Forest Tale”. His output includes the musical comedy “Shengulum, Shungulum and Mengulum”, concertos for cello and flute, symphonic poems, cantatas, four symphonies, numerous instrumental pieces, as well as music for theatre and cinema. His overture “Rejoice, My People” for large symphony orchestra was awarded the laureate title in Moscow in 1962.

Children’s Music and Educational Work

Between 2010 and 2012, Zulfuqarov composed the two-act ballet for children “The Magic Apple” based on the “Malikmammad” tale and co-authored music textbooks with Tamilla Babayeva and Vidadi Khalilov for the “Tumurcuq” and “Aysel” Children’s Song Theatre. For many years, under his leadership, these theatres produced programs on Azerbaijan State Television. He also wrote poetry, later published in the collection “Aysel Sings”. He served as Artistic Director of the State Children’s Philharmonic.

Titles and Awards

• 1972 — Honored Art Worker
• 2000 — People’s Artist
• 2009 — Order of “Shohrat”
• State scholarship recipient

Legacy and Memory

For more than sixty years, Oqtay Zulfuqarov devoted himself to children’s songs and the development of Azerbaijani culture. With deep affection and care for children, he created joyful, memorable music that shaped generations. His TV programs with children were widely loved. The composer passed away on August 31, 2016, at the age of 87.