Ragheb Moftah Collection of Coptic Orthodox Liturgical Chants and Hymns
Catalog Record: http://lccn.loc.gov/2004718267
General International Standard for Archival Description
Music Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
Finding Aid encoded by Library of Congress Music Division, 2005
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Ragheb Moftah Collection of Coptic Orthodox Liturgical Chants and Hymns1926-1997 (bulk 1926-1936)
Moftah, Ragheb
Biographical History for: Ragheb Moftah Collection of Coptic Orthodox Liturgical Chants and Hymns1926-1997 (bulk 1926-1936)
Biographical Note Ragheb Moftah was born on December 21, 1898, in Egypt, the son of Habashi Moftah. He was a musicologist, scholar, and a pioneer of the preservation of the Coptic liturgical music heritage. This heritage of the Coptic Orthodox Church springs from perhaps the oldest musical tradition in the world. Ragheb Moftah’s recordings of the orally transmitted Coptic Liturgical chants were collected from authoritative cantors throughout most of the twentieth century. Moftah traveled to England where he met Ernest Newlandsmith, who was a professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Newlandsmith became intrigued with Moftah’s idea of transcribing the music of the Coptic Orthodox Liturgical chants. Moftah and Newlandsmith collaborated together from 1927 - 1936. In 1931 they again traveled to England to lecture on Coptic liturgical music at Oxford, Cambridge, and London Universities. Thereafter, Moftah and Newlandsmith made their way back to Cairo, and were more determined than ever to finish their goal of transcribing this unique tradition. In those pre-tape-recording days, Newlandsmith took down the notation from live performances of the liturgies that were chanted by the great master cantor Mikhail Girgis al-Batanouni, who was chosen by Ragheb Moftah and Newlandsmith for his rich baritone voice, and accurate rendition of the Coptic Orthodox liturgical chants. The legendary great master cantor Mikhail Girgis al-Batanouni worked assiduously with Ragheb Moftah from 1928 – 1957. Newlandsmith compiled some 16 folios of music notation, including the Liturgy of St. Basil (used in the Coptic Church throughout the year except during the feasts), the Liturgy of St. Gregory (used during the four major feasts of Nativity, Epiphany, Resurrection and Pentecost), and a number of special services like the ordaining of new priests, festivals, weddings, funerals and many other Coptic Orthodox occasions. In 1932 Moftah was chosen by the Egyptian government to present the Coptic Music in the Arab Music Conference that was held in Cairo, and was sponsored by King Fuad. Bela Bartok, the composer and ethnomusicologist who visited Egypt to attend the Conference, was intrigued by Moftah’s endeavors, and promised to work with him, but he was unable to do so as he was called away to a more urgent project in Turkey. In 1945, Moftah established a center to teach Coptic chant melodies. By 1954, Moftah was among the founders of the Higher Institute of Coptic Studies, and established the Music Division. From 1954 until his death in 2001, Dr. Moftah recorded the entire corpus of Coptic Orthodox Liturgical chants and hymns in the Higher Institute of Coptic Studies (HICS). The Collection includes the St. Basil’s Liturgy, the St. Gregory’s Liturgy, parts of the St. Cyril’s Liturgy, and many other hymns and chants for various occasions. He was also responsible for training cantors at the Higher Institute of Coptic Studies (HICS), as well as students at the Coptic Clerical College. Each summer he ran a camp in Alexandria for additional instruction, which was all by rote memorization. In 1970, Ragheb Moftah commissioned Margit Toth to transcribe the music notation of the Coptic Orthodox Liturgy of St. Basil, which was published by the American University in Cairo Press in 1998Ragheb Moftah collected and recorded the orally transmitted chants of the Liturgy of St. Basil that were transcribed by Toth from authoritative cantors, including cantors Sadek Attallah and Farag Abdel Messih. The work contains a full text of the Liturgy in Coptic and Arabic, together with an English translation. Moftah’s work is of interest not only for spiritually engaged people both within and without the monotheistic tradition, but also to Egyptologists, Coptologists, historians of religion, and ethnomusicologists. Moftah died on June 16, 2001. By Laurence Moftah (niece of Dr. Moftah)
Scope and Content Note The Ragheb Moftah Collection of Coptic Orthodox Liturgical Chants and Hymns consists of transcriptions of Coptic chant music by Ernest Newlandsmith (compiled 1926-1936) and Margit Toth (begun 1970). Both contain transcriptions of the Liturgy of St. Basil. Also part of the collection, but housed in the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded and Sound Division, are audio tapes of Coptic chant music recorded by Moftah between 1940 and 1985, with the bulk recorded in 1965 and 1975-1985. Marian Robertson Wilson created a guide to the audiotapes in 1996, which consists of transcriptions, transliterations and translations into English of the texts sung on the tapes. Wilson also devised a new order for the pieces on the tapes, putting them in a more logical order, as used in the context of the liturgy. The most important part of the correspondence consists of letters from Ernest Newlandsmith to Ragheb Moftah concerning their collaboration. Writings in the collection consist of a paper written by Moftah, typescript, and an autobiography, in both manuscript and printed forms. There are notes about chant music written by Moftah. The collection contains articles written by Marian Robertson Wilson concerning Coptic chant music from the transcriptions Moftah contracted. Other materials include: clippings, tickets, receipts, photographs, a few legal papers and four videotapes housed in the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division belong to the collection. The videotapes include a biographical interview of Dr. Moftah conducted by Raymond Stock for a Library of Congress oral history project as part of its World Heritage series, (1996 – 1997); a recording of Ragheb Moftah's one hundredth birthday party (December 21, 1998); the funeral of Dr. Ragheb Moftah (June 19, 2002); and an interview with Margit Toth and Dr. Martha Roy (March 13, 2002) conducted by Laurence Moftah. Deborah Crall, December 2002
series
Music - Coptic Chant Transcriptions
Transcriptions by Ernest Newlandsmith, compiled between 1926 and 1936, which include the Liturgy of St. Basil and other liturgies, chants and hymns for various occasions. Bound volumes, manuscript. Volumes 5 and 7 are missing. The unnumbered volume is a draft version of volume 1, the Liturgy of St. Basil. An index to the titles of individual chants is found in the Index. Transcriptions by Margit Toth, begun in 1970, of the Liturgy of St. Basil, consisting of typescript and photocopies. The transcriptions by Margit Toth are preserved in the order of use in the Liturgy of Saint Basil.
subseries
Transcriptions by Ernest Newlandsmith
file
The music of the Mass as sung in the Coptic Church; [96] p.
The Sunday morning hymns: as used in preparation for the Mass and the music of the liturgy of St. Basil; [165] p.; draft version of vol. 1
Some special hymns used in the Coptic liturgy (with music) being the first supplement of the mass-book; 48 p.
Three hymns for the Fast of the Apostles; also "Kayse Pairts" and "Emes ay apohoice"; [19] p.
Some Advent and Christmas hymns of the Coptic Church; 22 p.
Hymns for Holy Week in the Coptic Church. First volume; 33 p.
Array-ten-sontee; [39] p.
Three big hymns; 36 p.
Adam; Heeten nee evhee; Allilouia pee o-o-fa; The "Tay oy en-hee can-noose"; [27] p.
Some Easter hymns; 36 p.
No title; [44] p.
Seven Saturday evening hymns and seven midnight hymns; [43] p.
The hymns of the "three children" in the fire; 26 p.
The big "alleluia" (a midnight hymn sung in Advent); [43] p.
Transcriptions by Margit Toth
The Coptic Orthodox liturgy of Saint Basil; [1162] p.
The Coptic Orthodox liturgy of Saint Basil; [1160] p.
Music - Index
Guide to the Ragheb Moftah Coptic chant collection of audio tapes. Marian Robertson Wilson prepared the Guide for the audio tapes, housed in the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division. The Guide includes a transcription of the words, as well as transliteration and translation; annotations place the chant in its liturgical context. The Guide is divided into four categories: Liturgy of St. Basil, Liturgy of St. Gregory, excerpts from the liturgy, and special hymns, which are used during festival periods and various occasions. The hymns are organized into function, such as funeral or wedding, and according to use in the Christian year, such as Lent, Easter, and Christmas. An index to the Guide is found in the Appendix. The LC numbers refer to the numbers of the tapes in the collection housed by the Library of Congress. Draft versions of the Guide. Typescript and photocopy.
Guide to the Ragheb Moftah Coptic Chant Collection of audio tapes
Photocopy of text
Introductory materials
Liturgy of St. Basil: in order of use in liturgical service
LC 6B cut 2; [6] p.
LC 4A cut 1; [6] p.
LC 5A; [5] p.
LC 22A; [14] p.
LC 10B cut 2; [2] p.
LC 9A and B;[11] p.
LC 10A cut 1 and B cut 1; [14] p.
LC 17A; [13] p.
LC 5B; [10] p.
LC 15B cut 2; [3] p.
LC 20B cut 2; [4] p.
LC 15B cut 1; [5] p.
LC 17B cut 2; [13] p.
LC 24A-24B cut 1; [16] p.
LC 15B cut 2; [4] p.
LC 6B cut 1; [1] p.
Liturgy of St. Gregory: in order of use in liturgical service
LC 1A and B; [15] p.
LC 8B; [5] p.
LC 7A-7B cut 1; [10] p.
LC 23b cut 1; [2] p.
LC 13A-13B cut 1; [12] p.
LC 2; [1] p.
LC 13B cut 2; [1] p.
LC 15A; [11] p.
LC 3A; [11] p.
LC 21A; [2] p.
LC 16A; [19] p.
LC 24B cut 2; [13] p.
LC 25A and B; [10] p.
Special hymns
LC 6A; [3] p.
LC 18B; [2] p.
LC 20A and B; [2] p.
LC 22b cut 2; [3] p.
LC 11A; [2] p.
LC 21A cut2-21B; [5] p.
LC 18A; [4] p.
LC 19A-19B; [9] p.
LC 19B; [7] p.
LC 7B cut 2; [2] p.
LC 23B; [1] p.
LC 4B cut 1; [9] p.
LC 3B; [4] p.
LC 4B cut 2; [4] p.
LC 4A cut 2; [10] p.
LC 4A cut 2; [2] p.
LC 11B; [2] p.
LC 12A-12B; [6] p.
LC 11B, conclusion; [2] p.
LC 5A; [6] p.
LC 14A-14B; [6] p.
LC 20A; [8] p.
LC 20B cut 1
LC 23B cuts 3 and 4; [2] p.
LC 8A; [3] p.
LC 25B; [2] p.
LC 13B cut 2; [2] p.
LC 23A cut 2-23B cut 1; [9] p.
LC 4B cut 3; [1] p.
LC 16B cut 2; [2] p.
Bibliography; [3] p.
List of Newlandsmith transcriptions compiled by Marian Robertson Wilson; [12] p.
Guide to the Ragheb Moftah Coptic Chant Collection of audio tapes- draft versions
Photocopy
Introductory materials; [11] p.
Suggested order for audio tapes; [42] p.
Liturgy of Saint Basil; [141] p.
Liturgy of Saint Basil; [51] p.
Liturgy of Saint Gregory; [41] p.
Festival Occasions; [135] p.
Hymns; [102] p.
Hymns; [83] p.
Bibliography; [5] p.
Correspondence, 1926-1997
General correspondence, letters to and from Ragheb Moftah.
Burmester, O. H. E. 1931-38
E-L
Library of Congress
Moftah, Laurence
Moftah, Ragheb 1920's, 1930's, 1970's
Moftah, Ragheb-Ernest Newlandsmith 1927-1930's
Moftah, Ragheb-Margit Toth 1972-1974
Mo-N
Newlandsmith, Ernest 1927-34, 1939
Newlandsmith, Ernest no date
Robertson-Wilson, Marian 1996-1997
Toth, Margit 1970, 1975
Unknown 1931, 1932, 1950
Documents
Contracts, copies and originals, between Moftah and Ernest Newlandsmith, Margit Toth and the Coptic Church. Included are papers and notes written by Moftah in manuscript, as well as articles about Ernest Newlandsmith and articles written by Marian Robertson Wilson about Moftah's work on Coptic chant music.
Contracts
Contract between Ragheb Moftah and Ernest Newlandsmith
Contract between Ragheb Moftah, Margit Toth and Coptic Orthodox Church
Ragheb Moftah papers
Moftah, Ragheb- manuscript notes
Moftah, Ragheb- draft of paper on coptic music ca. 1931-1936, typed with handwritten and overlay corrections
Moftah, Ragheb- autobiography
Articles
Newlandsmith, Ernest. "The ancient music of the Coptic Church"
[anonymous] "A brief biography of Ernest Newlandsmith"
Robertson-Wilson, Marian. "Ernest Newlandsmith et sa notation de la musique copte"
Miscellaneous articles about Moftah family members
American University in Cairo Press. "Complete catalogue: 1997-1998"
Stock, Raymond. "Preserving pharaonic psalms for Christ"
Clippings, receipts, tickets
Newspaper clippings
Tickets, receipts
Printed materials of Newlandsmith, tickets, invitations, programs
Photographs
Photographs of Moftah, others, and his funeral.
Ragheb Moftah, alone (3)
Ragheb Moftah with others (14)
Ragheb Moftah funeral, June 18, 2001 (27)
Ragheb Moftah final resting place, April 25, 2002 (13)
Rufa'il Moftah manuscript (8)
Laurence Moftah and other women at Library of Congress (4)
Miscellaneous photos of Moftah and/or family members and friends (158)
Passport photos of Moftah (2) and photos of St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church, Cairo (4)
Images not used in Coptic music website
Publication
A printed and bound textbook. al- Jam'iyyat al-Khayriyyah al-Kibtiyyah al-Kubra (Fiftieth Anniversary Golden Jubilee: History of the Coptic Tawfiq Society in fifty years 1881-1930.), [Cairo: The Coptic Tawfiq Society Publication, 1930]. The Coptic Tawfiq Society, founded at Yusuf Moftah's home on the 8th of January 1881, was one of the most influential of the philanthropic societies that proliferated in the late 19th and early 20th century in Egypt. Several of Moftah's family were members.
Fiftieth anniversary Golden Jubilee: History of the society in fifty years from 1881-1930; printed, 243 p.; with photocopy inserts and notes, [] p.