It was a trend I would witness on every return trip to Azerbaijan. With rare exceptions, the performance halls are nearly empty these days. The problem directly relates to the economic situation. Azerbaijan is in a transition between an economy monopolized by the state and one driven by consumer needs, which is not yet in place. Azerbaijan National Fine Arts Museum in Baku.
Salaries are shockingly low in government-sponsored arts positions.
It's so low, it's like getting no salary at all. Consequently, musicians are forced to take on second, third and fourth jobs. Sometimes they find work related to music, sometimes not. It's a question of survival. Of course, many of the most talented are exiting to Turkey, because of its proximity and similarity in culture and language.