Composer Eldar Mansurov was born in Baku, on February 28, 1952, in a family of a well-known musician and tar player Bahram Mansurov who was a member of the Mansurovs family that has made unparalleled contributions to the development of Azerbaijani musical culture. In such an environment, he faced no question when it was time to choose a profession. After graduating from musical school, he was admitted to piano section of Baku Musical School named after A. Zeynalli. In 1974, Eldar Mansurov was admitted to Azerbaijan State Conservatory named after Uzeyir Hajibeyov, to composing department and the class of Jovdat Hajiyev, from which he successfully graduated in 1979.
During his youth, Eldar Mansurov participated in many musical forums and rock festivals in various rock groups of Azerbaijan. In 1969–1971, he played keyboards in famous rock bands of the time, such as “Experiment OK” and “Mashal”. He participated in prestigious rock festivals of Baku like “Golden Fall” and others.
He also took part in different forums and festivals during his study at the conservatory, but in serious classical music events. He was awarded with a 3rd place diploma in scientific conference of university students with his research work “History of Mugham Names”.
Eldar Mansurov worked as a teacher in music schools for a long time, in different years he was a music teacher from ordinary music schools to higher education institutions.
In parallel to his professorship, he also worked in state TV for a long period. In various years he also worked at TV channels “BMTI” and “Lider” as musical editor. He headed the department of music at State TV and Radio Committee, then worked as sound director at State Recording House.
His list of works include rock-opera “Seven Beauties”, two ballets “Cleopatra” and “Olymp”, five symphonies, two symphonic poems, concert for violin with orchestra, symphonic mugham “Mahur-Hindi”, several works for instrumental and camera ensembles and pieces for chorus.
It is worth mentioning that one of the latest works of Eldar Mansurov – “Bahramnameh” which was written for national musical instrument tar, rock group and symphonic orchestra. This piece is devoted to his father Bahram Mansurov. In terms of style, “Bahramnameh” is a synthesis of past and modern times. The work has been popular since the day it was released.
Eldar Mansurov’s works were used in many movies and theatre plays. Songs composed by him are popular not only in his own country, but also abroad. His songs are played in many countries, in almost all continents of the world.
Eldar Mansurov has been doing research for many years and his topic is related to the history of Azerbaijani mughams. He participated twice in International Symposiums held in Samarkand in 1983 and 1987. His studies about the history of mugham were published several times in Azerbaijan, France, Germany, and Russia.
He has been a member of the Union of Composers of USSR and Azerbaijan since 1981 and a member of the Union of Cinematographs since 1999. In the period from 2007 to 2012 he worked as a Secretary of the Union of Composers of Azerbaijan.
Eldar Mansurov was awarded honorary titles of “Honored Art figure” in 2005 and “People’s Artist” in 2012. In 2022, he was awarded “Shohrat Order” for his services to the development of Azerbaijani music.
Eldar Mansurov is married and has two sons and four grandchildren.