Virtual Exhibition «At the Origins of the National School of Composition» on the BGAMLI Website

The Belarusian State Archive-Museum of Literature and Art (BGAMLI) presents a new virtual exhibition, «At the Origins of the National School of Composition», dedicated to the life and creative career of Vasily Alexandrovich Yefimov (November 11 [23], 1881 – June 25, 1955) — a prominent figure in the nation’s musical culture and a recipient of the honorary title «Honored Worker of Arts of the Byelorussian SSR».

V.A.Yefimov made a significant contribution to the development of both amateur and professional musical arts during the complex formative period of Belarusian culture. He composed two quartets (for two violins, viola, and cello), as well as numerous choral works, songs, and romances. A key aspect of his professional life involved collecting folklore and arranging folk songs. Many of his compositions gained widespread recognition; they were frequently broadcast on the radio and performed by both amateur groups and renowned professional ensembles across the republic.

Equally significant was V.A.Yefimov’s work in the fields of pedagogy and academic methodology. His textbook, «Elementary Theory of Music», became a foundational text and was in high demand at educational institutions throughout the country.

V.A.Yefimov’s multifaceted work and active civic engagement were highly valued by the state: in February 1955, he was awarded the honorary title of «Honored Worker of Arts of the Byelorussian SSR». He was also a recipient of the medal «For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945» and served two terms as a deputy to the Leninsky District Council of Working People’s Deputies in Minsk.

The virtual exhibition is based on documents from the personal collection of V.A.Yefimov, which were deposited with the BGAMLI (Belarusian State Archive-Museum of Literature and Art) on March 10, 1977, by the composer’s daughter, Natalya Vasilyevna Yefimova. The exhibition features musical manuscripts, photographs, and biographical documents that offer a comprehensive insight into the legacy of this remarkable artist.

We invite researchers and all enthusiasts of national art to explore the virtual exhibition, «At the Origins of the National School of Composition», on the official BGAMLI website.