Agshin Alizadeh was born in Baku. He studied at the Bulbul Special Music School (1955), and at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory (1962, composition class of Jovdat Hajiyev).

He began his career as a teacher at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory, working at the composition department (1963-1972).

He was the Secretary of the Board of the Azerbaijan Composers' Union (1979-1985, 2007-2012), Chairman of the Azerbaijan Composers' Union (1985–1990), and Artistic Director of the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic (1991–1994).

His main works: ballet "Babek" (1979), ballet "Natavan", ballet "Journey to the Caucasus" (2002), ballet "Waltz of Hope" (2008), 5 symphonies, concert for violin and orchestra, poem for cello and orchestra, "Bayats" for choir, "Children's Suite", "Pastoral", "Ashiqsayagi", "Jangi", "Village Suite", "Epic", "Shirvan Tablets", "Yumoreska" (for children's choir), "Portrait" for violin and piano, "Epic" for piano, "Old Games" for piano, "Dialogue" for violin and organ, choreographic symphony, etc.

He has written music for more than 40 films and performances.

The sonata he wrote as a student was awarded the First Degree Diploma at the "First All-Union Competition of Young Composers" (1962), and the First Symphony was awarded the First Degree Diploma at the "Transcaucasian Spring" festival.

He was awarded the "Shohrat" Order (1997) and the "Sharaf" Order (2012). Honored Art Worker (1982), People's Artist (1987), State Prize Laureate (1978), Professor (1988) Agshin Alizadeh died in 2014 and was buried in the Alley of Honor.

Composer Agshin Alizadeh is the father of composer Ali Alizadeh.