THE IMPORTANCE OF MATIJA MURKO’S RESEARCH FOR UNDERSTANDING THE MUSICAL TRADITION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

The paper presents the research and sound documentation carried out by Matija Murko in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1912–1913 and 1930–1931. It focuses on the importance of Murko’s research and his collected field material in gaining a historical perspective on the past and present musical traditions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its transformations. Murko’s recordings provide some significant insights into the singing of epic songs accompanied by gusle, the sevdalinke performed to the accompaniment of the violin, and the singing of ravna songs. Murko’s recordings are often the oldest and—in some cases—the only recorded evidence of the existence of certain musical practices.