WHAT IS BCMS?
The Baku Contemporary Music Society (BCMS) is a collective of next-generation musicians dedicated to promoting, supporting, and advancing the musical arts in Azerbaijan.
BCMS was founded by a group of composers and musicologists: Turkar Gasimzada, Sara Timurova, Said Gani, Ayaz Gambarli, Rena Fakhradova, and Tahir Ibishov. Since its inception, the BCMS team has overseen all major creative and administrative processes. Through ongoing dialogue among ourselves, our performers, and our audiences, we combine our diverse skills and sensitivity to the needs of musicians and listeners to deliver a wide range of musical activities. [More about our team members]
BCMS focuses on three core areas: performance, education, and research. Within these fields, we offer a variety of projects tailored to both professional and general audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
PERFORMANCE
Our main performance initiatives are the Baku Contemporary Music Days Festival and the Cadenza Contemporary Orchestra.
Baku Contemporary Music Days is currently the only festival in Azerbaijan dedicated to contemporary composer music. Held annually, it brings together composers, performers, and lecturers from Azerbaijan and abroad, blending performance with educational initiatives. Over several days, the festival showcases Azerbaijani composers and performers, introduces international repertoire and guest artists, and features film screenings, lectures, workshops, and concerts. The festival takes place at major venues in Baku, including the International Mugham Center, the Museum Center, and the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic. [More about the festival]
Cadenza Contemporary Orchestra is a chamber ensemble of 17 members, including strings, winds, keyboard, and percussion. The orchestra performs throughout the year, offering portrait concerts of Azerbaijani composers, concerts-meetings, and thematic programs with varied ensembles. Its repertoire spans chamber music from different eras and countries, with an emphasis on late 20th and 21st-century music. [The orchestra's website]
EDUCATION
BCMS places strong emphasis on education. Beyond the festival’s educational program, initiatives include Musical Evenings in the Museum in collaboration with the Museum Center, year-round lectures and masterclasses, monthly events at schools and universities, and open to public meetings with composers and performers. The BCMS podcast regularly provides insights about our educational projects, which are led by local performers, musicologists, composers, and guest lecturers. We prioritize accessibility, offering events both online and in person for K12 schools, university students, and music enthusiasts. To reach a broad audience, our projects and media resources are available in Azerbaijani, English, and Russian.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
BCMS supports the creation of new music through open calls for composers and regular commissions. Azerbaijani and composers worldwide compose pieces for the Cadenza Contemporary Orchestra that receive world premieres twice a year.
Our research initiatives bring together Azerbaijani and international musicologists. We organize international conferences, round tables, and lecture sessions. While primarily aimed at musicologists—including beginners—our academic activities are closely linked with our performance and educational programs, ensuring all lectures and materials are grounded in thorough research and analysis.
FOLLOW US
BCMS is a platform where music-making, education, and research intersect. We aim not only to preserve musical heritage but also to develop it, discover new talent, and build cultural bridges between global communities. Each project fosters a space where innovation thrives, intergenerational dialogue flourishes, and the richness of classical and contemporary music is explored.
We warmly welcome you to join us and follow our concerts and events through the BCMS website and our project sites — Baku Contemporary Music Days and Cadenza Contemporary Orchestra — as well as on our YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.