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Playing Kamancha

Munis Sharifov started his career in 1982 as the first kamancha player in an instrumental ensemble under the leadership of the famous Islam Rzayev. Since then, he has been working in close cooperation with the Azerbaijan State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company and other private TV and Radio companies. From1986 until just recently, he was a soloist in the Azerbaijan State Concerts Union. In 1985, he earned a diploma from the 12th International Festival in Moscow. In 1990, he was invited to work as a teacher in the Azerbaijan State Conservatoire (now Baku Musical Academy).

From 1993-1995, Sharifov worked in Iran in the Tehran Music & Cultural Center and Music Institute as the kamancha teacher and soloist. There, he produced two solo albums. In 1997 he recorded one album in Baku.

In 1996, Sharifov helped to establish the Ancient National Instruments Ensemble. At first, he worked as the concertmaster and arranger. Now he is the head of this ensemble. The instrument played in this ensemble is called Chagan. With tireless effort, he has accomplished distinguishable work in playing this instrument. He reached the highest level of recital on this instrument. He has striven to make this ancient instrument known all over the world. He is the only one who performs with this instrument in the world.

In 2000, Sharifov participated in Scotland's “String Kaman Instruments International Symposium”. In 2002, he took part in The International Scientific-Practical Conference “A Heritage of Bolat Saribaev and Modern Ethnooganology” in Alma-Ati, Kazakhstan.

In 2002, Sharifov was invited by UNESCO to give concerts in Russia, Canada, Turkey, and France.
Sharifov has traveled with concert tours all over the world: India (1989), Sri Lanka (1989), Germany (1990), Turkey (1991, 2002), USA (1991), Iran (1993, 2004), Canada (1995, 2002, 2004), Russia (2002), France (2002).