Gül açdı, Bahar Oldu, “Flowers Have Blossomed, Spring Has Come,” is a lyrical folk song from Azerbaijan. The recording was arranged by Jahan Jahangirov with piano improvisation by Aida Huseynova, alongside the IU Children's Choir. As is quite typical in Azerbaijani folk poetry, the lyrics of this song associate the beauty of nature with the joy of love. The multi-voice texture of this arrangement is tender and transparent, and the main melody never becomes covered or obscured. Traditionally, folk songs in Azerbaijan are firmly related to mugham, the genre of improvised modal music of Azerbaijan, and can even be incorporated into it. Following this precedent, there is a short mugham interlude between the two verses of the folk song. This mugham interlude is based on the formulas of shur, the same mode used in the song, and becomes a smooth addition to the folk melody.

Art work by Sanan Samedov