LONDON, March 2. /Dunyo IA/. A masterclass and an inaugural concert program by Ilyos Arabov, Associate Professor at the Yunus Rajabi Uzbek National Institute of Musical Arts and Honoured Artist of Uzbekistan, were held in the capital of the United Kingdom, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The event was attended by representatives of academic circles, renowned art historians, professors, faculty members and students from the Department of Music at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS University of London), as well as members of the general public.

The program presented the theoretical foundations of Uzbek national musical art, its performance traditions, and modern interpretations. Special attention was paid to the history of the development of Maqom art, its place in Eastern musical culture and the significance of the “Ustoz-Shogird” (master-apprentice) tradition.

During the concert portion, examples of Uzbek classical music and Maqom were performed, allowing the audience not only to enjoy the sound of the works but also to gain a deeper understanding of their scientific and artistic nuances.

The improvisational nature of Maqom, the process of its formation during live performance and aspects directly related to the individual skill of the performer drew particular interest.

Professor Rachel Harris of SOAS presented information on this art form. Her research is dedicated to the study of the intangible cultural heritage of China and Central Asian countries. She possesses extensive experience in teaching ethnomusicology and is the author of numerous scholarly works and publications in this field.

The cultural and educational event contributed to the further strengthening of bilateral cultural ties, the expansion of academic cooperation and the promotion of national musical art on the international stage.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue cultural events and develop intercultural dialogue between SOAS and representatives of the arts from Uzbekistan.