SEVEN GIRLS
SEVEN GIRLS (Ete Kyz), 1) Bashk. folk song, khalmakkyuy. First recorded by L.N.Lebedinsky in 1939, published in the Bashkort Khalk Yirdary digest. According to the version told K.M.Diyarov by Kh.Islamov from Derevnya Isyanovo of Baymaksky Raion, this song originated in the 1st half of the 16th century. The legend tells the story of seven sisters who were stolen by Kazakhs and then escaped from captivity. Escaping from the chase in the reeds, six of them died. Another version of the legend tells the story of seven Bashk. beauties, who did not want to marry old people and for that reason drowned themselves in the lake. The lyrics is built in the form of a monologue of a young man who is in love with these girls. The melody is characterized by soft downward intonations, restrained tempo and concealed drama. The song exists both with the text and in the form of an instrumental dance play. Kh.F.Akhmetov made the S.g. arrangement for voice with piano, and choir with an accompaniment, Kh.Sh.Zaimov — for voice and piano, T.Sh.Karimov — for the instrumental ensemble, and K.Yu. Rakhimov — for orchestra. The melody is used in the Crane Song ballet and Dance Suite by M.M.Valeyev.
2) Bashk. lyrical dance. For the first time was performed on the prof. stage in 1941 in the production by F.A.Gaskarov. Seven girls participate in the dance, which fully embodies features of the Bashk. woman national character. Girls dance very restrained, modestly, gently, without broad and sharp movements; move with a straight body, proudly raised head and lowered eyes. The absolute synchronicity is achieved in both hands and body movements and in the performance of each figure. One of the main dances in the F.Gaskarov Folk Dance Ensemble repertoire. S.g. staged by Gaskarov was part of the USSR Folk Dance Ensemble (Artistic Director — I.A.Moiseyev) repertoire.
