page_title: If Not That One, Then This One
section_title: Music
hierarchical_section_title: If Not That One, Then This One / Music
caption_attribution_description: English: Song from the "If not that one, then this one" comedy of Uzeyir Hajibeyov
context_page_description: If Not That One, Then This One, also known as Mashadi Ibad, is a 1910 operetta in four acts written by Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov. The comedy reflects social and everyday life relations in prerevolutionary Azerbaijan. It is the composer's second work written in this genre, and is considered a national classic alongside the same composer's Arshin mal alan.
context_section_description: Abbasova opines that all the music of the operetta forms an important component of the action, extending the characteristics of the dramatis personae, and promoting the active and natural development of events.
  The music characterizes negative personages of the comedy with particular sharpness -Hajibeyov created for them original musical parodies which were based on tested expedients of national music and dance arts. The clumsy and arrogant merchant Mashadi Ibadm, the main anti-hero of the comedy, is presented with undisguised frankness.The song "In spite of my old age" is based on the traditional eloquent "Uzundara" melody, which is transformed by Mashadi Ibad's version in which he cynically argues about love. This song of Mashadi Ibad also appears at the fourth act party when he is about to remove the veil from the 'bride's' face.
  The parody portrait of this unlucky groom is continued in subsequent passages; for example, the traditional melody "Darchiny" becomes a comic song for Mashadi Ibad and Rustam bey in duet. This melody is also now known as "Mashadi Ibad". Another duet of Mashadi Ibad with Rustam bey is pompous and march-like, suggesting the smug merchant.
  Mashadi Ibad's trio with Gulnaz and Senem has a different tinge. The music acquires a sad and lyrical character, while groom feels the moral superiority of the girl over him. But anger and disgust can be heard in Mashadi Ibad's voice in the ensemble "It is impossible", because has now learnt about the love between Gulnaz and Sarvar. Abbasova remarks that music of this comedy reveals a m ore advanced and multifaceted portrait of character than its predecessor (Husband and wife).
caption: Duet of Mashadi Ibad with Rustam bey
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