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[SIMFEROPOL IMPRINT] Pesni i tantsy krymskikh tatar [i.e. Songs and Dances of Crimean Tatars] / Compiled by Ia. Sherfedinov.

Item #2631

Simferopol: Krymgosizdat, 1931. 94, [1] pp.: music score. 25,5x18 cm. In original printed wrappers. Tear of spine with fragment lost, soiling of covers, ink signatures on t.p. and p.3., last leaf with minor holes and some soiling, otherwise very good and mostly clean internally.

One of 1000 copies.

An early collection by Crimean Tatar composer and poet Iaia (Iagia) Sherfedinov (1894-1975). After graduation from the Moscow Conservatory in 1931, Sherfedinov came back and worked as music editor of the Crimean Radio Committee. In 1937-1938 he was deputy artistic director of the Crimean Tatar State Drama Theater in Simferopol. Sherfedinov wrote works of various genres, including suites for symphony orchestra, several musical comedies. The principal interest of Iaia Sherfedinov was in collecting local folk songs. His first small collection was published in Crimea in 1925, then enlarged editions were released in 1931, 1935 and 1978 (posthumously). This one contains more than 70 songs: musical scores with locations specified, latinized original texts and their adaptation into Russian. Also, the Crimean Tatar alphabet (printed and cursive spelling) is published with notes on pronunciation.

The work of Crimean Tatar orchestral and song performers was most fully visible during threeday wedding ceremonies. Sherfedinov thoroughly overviews the process by all steps, including its musical and dance elements: “The wedding itself begins with a prayer of the old people, it is followed by the orchestra performing the melody “Peshraf” <...> sitting over coffee, the old people order the orchestra their favorite old songs of a minor, mournful nature”. Publishing the book in the socialist state, Sherfedinov adds: “Paying a mullah for one wedding costs a peasant many years of earnings. The wedding ceremony was a kind of part of the oppression by religion. Currently, this ritual is becoming obsolete, and the liberated Tatar people have no reason to regret it.”.

Price: $1,500.00