Georgia: The concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Otar Taktakishvili was held at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater with the promotion of the Ministry of Culture.
The concert was attended by Badri Maisuradze, the artistic director of the Tbilisi State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after Zakaria Paliashvili, Giorgi Vachnadze, the rector of Tbilisi State Conservatory, Giorgi Kalandia, the general director of the Georgian Palace of Art and Culture History Museum and other guests.
Former Minister of Culture and Sports Thea Tsulukiani also attended the event as a guest.
Opera Theater soloists, choir, orchestra, and ensemble “Rustavi” took part in the concert. Fragments from various works of Otar Taktakishvili were performed at the concert. An exhibition was organized in the blue hall of the Opera House, and the public was allowed to see photos of Otar Taktakishvili and posters of his performances.
Otar Taktakishvili was born into a family with rich musical traditions. Since childhood, he has been learning to play the piano and singing in the school choir. He wanted to be a pianist from the beginning, and for this purpose, he entered the first music school. Membership in the student orchestra has also benefited the future composer.
In 1942, Otar Taktakishvili entered Tbilisi State Conservatory at the Faculty of Composition and studied with Professor Sergo Barkhudariani. During this period, he composed two strings and one piano trio, a violin sonata, and piano pieces. A 22-year-old young man took part in a closed competition to create the Georgian anthem and won.
In 1951-1952, he organizes a concert tour abroad, where he conducts his works.
In 1961, Otar Taktakishvili was awarded the People’s Artist of Georgia title. With flesh and soul Georgian composer played a big role in establishing classical traditions of the national opera. Composer, conductor and teacher Otar Taktakishvili was in the state service for 22 years.
From 1965, after three years as rector of Tbilisi Conservatory, he became Minister of Culture, and his name is associated with many important events that happened during that period. He was the Minister of Culture who could best introduce Georgian art to Soviet and foreign listeners.
