Yakov Eshpai
1890 (Kokshamary) — 1963 (Moscow)
Yakov Eshpai was a Soviet Mari composer, musicologist-folklorist, choirmaster, and teacher. Born Yakov Ishpaikin on 18 (30) October 1890 in Kokshamary, he was a Mari and was named an Honored Artist of the Mari ASSR in 1941.
Eshpai created the first Mari instrumental works for symphony, wind, and folk-instrument orchestras, as well as for violin and piano. He also wrote numerous solo and choral vocal works. He recorded and arranged more than 500 folk melodies, and in 1920 took part in an expedition to collect and record songs of the Mountain Mari. He received a Candidate of Art History degree in 1946.
He was the father of composer Andrei Eshpai. Eshpai died in Moscow on 20 February 1963 and was buried at Vvedenskoye Cemetery.