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[JEWISH MUSIC SOCIETY] Chanson des Comédiens de Pourim. Pesnia Purimshpilerov. Op.29.1

Engel, J.

Item #2347

Moscow: Obschestvo evreiskoy muziki; Pechatnoe iskusstvo, 1919. [4] p. 35x26 cm. Original illustrated wrappers. Minor stains to the spine, otherwise in good condition.

Jewish sheet music piece, the wrapper is designed by Lazar (EL) Lissitzky. Text in Yiddish and Russian. Joel Engel, an influential figure in the Jewish art music movement, is renowned as a composer and music critic. He was born in Berdyansk and subsequently relocated to Berlin before settling in Palestine. Engel is widely regarded as the authentic pioneer of the contemporary revitalization of Jewish music.

Lissitzky's design was created during his Moscow period, spanning from 1915 to 1918. During this time, Lazar was studying at Riga Polytechnic, which had been evacuated to Moscow. This circumstance granted him the legal ability to reside in Moscow, as ordinary Jewish individuals were typically prohibited from living there unless they fell under specific exceptions.
After the fall of Pale of Settlement in 1917 he received his papers to legally stay in Moscow, but left for Kyiv in 1919.

Although less extensively documented than his later periods, the early phase of Lissitzky's life is equally captivating. Following his studies in Germany, he developed a strong fascination with Jewish national motifs and began incorporating them into his artwork. During this time, Lissitzky gained significant recognition for his book designs, particularly the renowned works 'Khad Gadia' (1917) and the Jewish poetic compilation 'Sichas Chulin' (1917). These pieces remain notable examples of Lissitzky's artistic contributions during that period.

During the summer of 1916, Lissitzky embarked on a journey alongside Isaak-Ber Rybak to document the wall paintings in synagogues located in Mogilev, Kopys, Dubrovna, and Druja, which later influenced his artistic designs. Lissitzky incorporated these ornamental elements into various works, including approximately 30 books, posters, and illustrations created for Yiddish printed materials. Unfortunately, many artworks from this period have not survived, such as the large 2-meter piece titled 'Prishestvie messii,' which was exhibited in 1917 at the Mir Iskusstva exhibition in Saint-Petersburg.

Price: $1,950.00