Russian musical instrument Balalaika (Russian: БАЛАЛАЙКА) is also sometimes spelled as "BALALAYKA".
On this page you will find description of balalaika, balalaika video, pictures, history, lessons, free balalaika music mp3 download, video, list of balalaika players, orchestras and bands, handmade balalaika for sale, manufactured balalaikas for sale, balalaika virtuoso performances, Russian Balalaika Polyphonic Ringtones Free Downloads, contrabass Balalaika, Balalayka Bass, and "Balalaika player’s Christmas Diary" written by Mikhail Smirnov.
Russian Balalaika Duo from Philadelphia, Pennsilvania performs Russian Ukrainian, Russian Gypsy music and songs on balalaikas, guitars, and garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion) at any kind of events.
Balalaika (balalayka) description
Balalaika is Russian folk guitar with triangular body shape.
The back of balalaika is slightly bowed.
Three strings run from the tuning pins over the metal frets on the neck across
soundboard and secured on the base of the instrument.
Sometimes one can find six string balalaika, usually it is tuned exactly
like regular three strings instrument.
Balalayka strings
Often people email us with question where do we get Balalayka strings. Answer provided by Alex Siniavski, balalaika virtuoso and director of Russian music and dance ensemble "Barynya":
For the first (A) balalaika string you can use any
first (E) steel guitar string .011 diameter, for 2nd
and 3rd balalaika (E) strings you can use 3rd (G)
nylon guitar strings
Balalayka question
Hello, dear balalaika professionals, fans and friends! Our friend who owns this balalaika wants to know who, when and why made this balalaika. To see more pictures please click the image on the left. If you have an idea how old this instrument might be, where it was made and who was the master, please post your reply or opinion to GOOGLE BALALAIKA GROUP or email me. Thank you! Mikhail Smirnov, Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya from New York.
Balalaika Variations "The Moon Is Shining Brightly"
Variations on Russian folk song: "The Moon Is Shining Brightly" (sometimes translated as "The New Moon is Lighting") written by the "Father of Russian Balalaika" Vasily Vasileyevich Andreyev (1861-1918) is so popular it was even mentioned in Michail Bulgakov's book "The heart of a dog":
Someone was hard at work playing a rousing tune on the balalaika two
rooms away and the sound of a series of intricate variations on 'The Moon is
Shining' mingled in Philip Philipovich's head with the words of the
sickening newspaper article. When he had read it he pretended to spit over
his shoulder and hummed absentmindedly through his teeth: ' "The moo-oon is
shining . . . shining bright . . . the moon is shining . . ." God, that
damned tune's on my brain!'... read more
The most popular Russian songs and dances sheet music
A very useful book for musicians who play Russian gigs made available by balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski.
List of songs available on Dec 28, 2008: Along the Mourom Road - Na muromskoy dorozhke,
Along the Piterskaya Road - Vdol’ po piterskoj,
Autumn Slumber - Osennij son,
Birds Fly Home - Domoj vozvrashchayutsya ptitzy,
Birds Take Wing - Letyat perelyotnye ptitzy,
Black Cat - Chyorny kot,
Blue Kerchief - Sinij platochek,
Chick is Roasted - Tzyplyonok zharenyj,
Clouds Over The City - Tuchi nad gorodom vstali,
Coachman, Hold Your Horses - Yamshchik, ne goni loshadej,
Cranes - Zhuravli,
Czardas - Chardash,
Dark Eyes - Ochi chernye,
Dark Night - Tyomnaya noch’,
Daydreams - Vals “Gryozy”,
Evening Song - Vechernyaya pesnya,
Exhausted Sun - Utomlyonnoe solntze,
Felt Boots - Valenki,
Friendship - Kogda prostym i nezhnym vzorom,
Frost, O Frost - Oj, moroz, moroz,
Gentlemen of Fortune - Dzhentel’meny udachi,
Heart On the Snow - Serdtze na snegu,
Hey, Coachman, Take Me to the Yar - Ey, yamshchik, goni-ka k Yaru,
Hopak - Gopak,
In Dugout Shelter - V zemlyanke,
In the Smithy - Vo kuznitze,
In the Wood Near the Front - V lesu prifrontovom,
It Is Not the Wind - To ne veter,
Kalinka,
Katyusha,
Kostya the Sailor - Shalandy polnye kefali,
Lara’s Theme,
Little Willow Tree - Ivushka,
Lonely Accordion - Odinokaya garmon’,
Lyric Song From Sormovo - Sormovskaya liricheskaya,
Meadowlands - Polyushko-pole,
Mishka - Mishka, Mishka, gde tvoya ulybka,
Moon Is Shining - Svetit mesyatz,
Moscow Nights - Podmoskovnye vechera,
Murka,
Officers’ Waltz - Sluchajny vals,
Peddlers - Korobejniki,
Snow Storm - Vdol’ po ulitze metelitza metyot,
So Many Lovely Girls - Kak mnogo devushek horoshih,
Song About a Good Mood - Pesenka o horoshem nastroyenii,
Song About Bears - Pesenka o medvedyah,
Song About Five Minutes - Pesenka o pyati minutah,
Song Flows On - I lyotsya pesnya,
Song of Old Coachman - Pesnya starogo izvozchika,
Steppes - Step’ da step’ krugom,
There Is But an Instant - Est’ tol’ko mig,
These Dark Eyes - Ah, eti chernye glaza,
Those Were the Days - Dorogoj dlinnoyu,
Town Of Samara - Ah, Samara-gorodok,
Trainman, Hold On - Postoj, parovoz,
Turquoise Rings - Biryuzovye kolechki,
Two Guitars - Dve gitary,
Two-Step - Tustep,
Unhitch the Horses - Rospryagajte, hloptzi, koni,
Ural Rowan Tree - Ural’skaya ryabinushka,
Volga Boatmen Song - Ej, uhnem,
When We Met - Ya vstretil vas,
You Stood Me Up - Pidmanula, pidvela,
Your Excelency - Vashe blagorodie... read more, purchase
BALALAIKA PERFORMANCES VIDEO
Video of Balalaika virtuoso Bibs Ekkel, Alexey Arkhipovski, Alex Siniavski and concert of Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya
Balalaika virtuoso Bibs Ekkel from London, UK
Balalaika virtuoso Alexey Arkhipovsky from Moscow, Russia
Balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski and ensemble Barynya
Hungarian-style Czardas written by Vittorio Monti. Balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov (guitar) recorded during Russian music and dance ensemble "BARYNYA" concert on March 8, 2003 at the Smithsonian Institute of America. Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural History. Washington, DC. "Czardas" was written by Vittorio Monti for either violin or mandolin and piano. It was soon arranged for all kinds of instruments including the balalaika. Not many people remember Vittorio Monti these days, but everyone will be familiar with his Czardas
Variations on Russian folk song: "The Moon Is Shining Brightly" is the most popular pieces performed on Russian balalaika ever. Alex Siniavsky - balalaika, Mikhail Smirnov - guitar. Recorded on March 8, 2003 during ensemble "BARYNYA" solo performance at at the Smithsonian Institute of America. Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural History. Washington, DC.
Waltz "Daydreams" This waltz composed by "father" of Russian balalaika Vasily Vasilievich Andreev (born 186l).
Solo by balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov-guitar, Leonid Bruk-balalaika-bass.
Performed by New York based Brooklyn Balalaikas trio
Valenki - "Felt Boots" Russian Balalaika Trio is playing Traditional Song "Valenki". Performed by New York based Brooklyn Balalaikas trio. Solo Natalia Smirnov 3701 KB video mpeg file
"I met you" - Popular Rusian romance, lyrics by Fedor Tyutchev, music of unknown author.
Solo by balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov (guitar), Leonid Bruk (balalaika-bass)
New York based "Brooklyn Balalaikas" trio
Monti's Chardash performed by Alex Siniavsky - balalaika and Mikhail Smirnov - guitar.
Recorded at Russian folk music and dance ensemble "BARYNYA" concert, March 8, 2003,
Smithsonian Institute of America at Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural History in
Washington, DC
Russian folk song "Moon is shining" performed by Alex Siniavsky - balalaika and Mikhail Smirnov - guitar.
Recorded at Russian folk music and dance ensemble "BARYNYA" concert, March 8, 2003,
Smithsonian Institute of America at Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural History in
Washington, DC
Balalaika ("Belly Scratcher") made by craftsmen from Moscow Aleksandr Zhukovski: "I make musical instruments since 1990.
Design and shape of my instruments are based on archeologycal discoveries from Velikiy Novgorod and museum samples.
I started to make instruments for myself at first. After a while I started getting orders for different pieces
from musicians and folk groups in Russia and overboard. I also teach classes on Russian traditional folk
instrumental music. Russian folk ensembles "Kazachiy Krug", "Drevo", "Yakhont Lazorevy",
"Vetka", one of groups of D. Pokrovski (theatre on Taganka) are using guslis, liras and gudoks made by me"... read more
Almost new balalaika prima made by Ershov - sold
Concert quality Balalaika made by famous Russian balalaika luthier Ershov in Moscow in 1989 is available for sale in Toronto, Canada for a bargain price of 750.00 Canadian Dollars or even exchange for 4-srtinged domra. Condition: like new. Instrument is fully serviced by professional balalaika maker Andreas Gerth from Berlin, Germany in 2006 - new tuners installed. Black ebony fingerboard. Pickguard and head dark-brown palisander. Clear and deep sound... read more
Nalimov design balalaikas by "Imperskaya Music"
Imperskaya Music is North American company that manufactures and sells "Nalimov design" balalaikas, balalaika bags, and other accesories. Famous Russian luthier Semyon Nalimov, who developed and perfected the modern balalaika, was the inspiration for the Founder and Owner of Imperskaya Music Co. Boris Kosukhin... visit website
Balalaika pictures
History of Russian balalaika
Balalaika was first mentioned in a document which dates back to XVII century (1688). From this document we learn that Savka Fedoov, a citizen of the city of Arzamas, and Ivashka Fedorov, a peasant, while passing through the Yauza Gates played the balalaika. For such an imprudent behaviour they were flogged and exiled. It would never occur to a civilized person living nowadays that a severe punishment awaited anybody who gave himself to such an innocent occupation as playing the balalaika. But let us recollect the Russian history.
It happened soon after the death of the tsar Alexei Mikhailovich called "The Quietest". This tzar was famous for his hatred towards the popular Russian culture. In 1648 he issued an ukaz where he ordered to collect all musical instruments of the Russian people and to burn them. All those who dared to continue playing them were to be flogged and then exiled to the periphery of the Russian State (Ukraine)...read more
Russian Balalaika Ringtones provided by Russian music ensemble Barynya from Brooklyn, New York. Russian balalaika, garmoshka, guitar and contrabass balalaika were used to record these ringtones. Download the file to your computer and email to your phone or use any wireless connection such as bluetooth or infra red port to transfer the music... download free balalaika ringtones
Contrabass-Balalaika Buying Guide
This article How to buy contrabass balalaika from experience of Mikhail Smirnov, Director of Russian folk dance and music ensemble Barynya from New York City, USA was published at The BDAA newsletter, The official journal of the Balalaika and Domra Association of America.
read the full story
120 years old Balalaika
1. This balalaika was brought over with a Russian immigrant between 1910 and before WWI.
His widow lived in Chicago. Her daughter gave it to me in 1972... read full story by Will Herzog
Russian balalaika records and mp3 samples
Balalaika Virtuoso Bibs Ekkel. Born in 1946 in England of mixed Polish-English background, Bibs Ekkel is both musician and linguist.
His career as one of very few outstanding professional balalaika players outside Russia has brought him much recognition worldwide, including in the balalaika's Motherland, where he has performed on radio and TV as well as at Moscow's prestigious "Hall of Columns" and... read more, download MP3
Ethnic Russian Music Album recorded by ensemble Barynya in December 2006. Total time 45:46. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2006. Favorite Russian melodies and songs performed on balalaika, garmoshka, Gypsy guitar, classic guitar, and contrabass... more information, MP3 samples
Russian folk music, song and dance album. Runtime: 64 minutes. Ensemble Barynya live from Wisconsin. Alex Siniavski (balalaika), Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar), Ruslan Khain (c-bass). Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2006. Songs: "The Peddlers", "You stood me up", "Angry mother (bila mene maty)", "Tongue Twister". Dances: "Hopak", "Sailor's Dance", "Barynya", "Kalinka". Balalaika solo: "The Moon is shining", "Chardash"... more info, MP3s, order
Russian Christmas Music Balalaika Album. Balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov (guitar). Runtime: 51 minutes. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2005. 25 Russian folk songs, dances, tunes, favorite Christmas and Holiday selections such as "Carol of Bells", "Deck The Halls", "Father Frost", "Jingle Bells", "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas", "Joy To The World", "Folk Carol from Smolensk", "Snowstorm", "Snegoorochka"... more information, MP3 samples
Balalaika music album "Barynya Russian folk songs" recorded with balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski. Runtime: 35m 09s, Cover Art: Yury Tarler. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2003. There are Russian folk tunes, dances and songs including "Evening bells", "Kalinka", "Katyusha", "Moscow Nights" and "Dark Eyes"... MP3 samples, order
Alex Siniavski has made it possible for everyone to have private lessons in their own home with his wonderful "12-step program" for balalaika players, and potentially achieve intermediate (or, perhaps, virtuoso ?) level...
...Has your balalaika technique become unmanageable? Alex's DVD, The Balalaika Tutorial, with its extremely useful downward camera angle... .imagine looking down from your own eyes to your right hand.. .can repair all the damage that years of playing without a virtuoso teacher have done. Using mainly Svyetit Mesyats (Bright Moon), Alex walks you through strumming, thumb pizzicato, pizzicato vibrato, double and single pizzicato, tremolo, rolls, combinations of techniques, tips for the left hand and learning tunes, and some fantastic cross-string scale and chord scale exercises... read more from Judy Sherman's article
Alex Siniavski balalaika and Gypsy guitar virtuoso from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
New York Balalaika Orchestra performs at Russian Orthodox weddings, fundraising balls, large scale social events, Doctor Zhivago's style corporate parties.
Russian Balalaika Duo: Alex Siniavski and Mikhail Smirnov with program of Russian, Ukrainian, Gypsy, Cossack, Klezmer, and international music and songs performed on balalaika, garmoshka and guitars. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
Chicago Cossacks - Russian music and song ensemble from Illinois.
Brooklyn Balalaikas - Russian Folk Music Trio from Brooklyn, New York. Artistic Director Leonid Bruk.
RUSSIAN BAND specialty is Gypsy, Ukrainian, Russian music and songs. All RUSSIAN BAND members are top professionals with many years of experience. Choice of Gypsy, Ukrainian, Russian (2 different sets) and Cossack costumes. Extended repertoire. Formal concert, background music or music for dancing party. Our main instruments are balalaika, domra, drums, garmoshka (Russian button accordion), Gypsy guitar, classic guitar, contrabass balalaika, cello and vocals. Travel with own pro-quality sound system.
Old Red Wine - Klezmer, Yiddish, Russian dixieland band from Brooklyn, New York. Artistic Director Shlomo Leiderman.
Russian traditional music and song ensemble from Los Angeles, California has built a reputation as a unique, dynamic and accomplished group performing on traditional Russian instruments: the domra, the balalaika, and the bayan. The quartet's repertoire ranges from traditional Russian and Eastern European songs, to well known classics and contemporary works.
THE BARYNYA BALALAIKA ORCHESTRA is one of the most requested bands for expensive Russian weddings, Russian Nobility Balls,
large scale social events and Doctor Zhivago's style corporate parties in New York and suburbs.
Petroushka Ball 2006, Warldorff Astoria, New York City, USA
THE BARYNYA BALALAIKA ORCHESTRA PROGRAM INCLUDES Russian, Ukrainian, Gypsy and Klezmer music, songs and dances: Kalinka, Hopak, Devochka Nadya, Barynya, Sailors, Dark Eyes, Chubchik, Moscow Nights, Volga Boarman, Korobushka (The Peddler), Odessa, Marusechka, Zemlyanka, Dark Night, Katyusha, Smuglyanka, Two guitars, Chastushki, Cheremshina, Chervona Ruta, Tango Dark Eyes, Put'-Dorozhka, Polyushko
read more, visit website
Contrabass Balalaika and Bass Balalaika
Bass-balalaika and Russian folk dancer Valentina Kvasova
Balalaika-bass and contrabass balalaikas are the biggest in size, the strongest and deepest in sound of all traditional Russian music instruments used by New York based Russian folk dance and music ensemble "Barynya".
BALALAIKA BASS DESCRIPTION
First string: D, minor octave.
Second string: A, major octave.
Third string: E, major octave.
The instrument size and form require from the musician to play it in standing position.
A metal pin is attached to it from below, which abuts against the floor.
So neither the instrument body nor its sounding-board touch the performer's dress, and this causes great resonant effect, resulting in powerful,
long and deep sound. To make the string sound well, musician has to press the strings correctly and tightly by one-two fingers of the left hand,
and strike with the right hand softly... read more
DOMRA
The Domra is a small mandolin size instrument with three or four strings. Instrument was developed by Vasiliy Vasilievich Andreev, the Father of Russian balalaika. In contemporary Russian orchestras the domra usually does the melody and accompanied by balalaikas and bayans to play classical and traditional Russian music. Most often domra is played with a pick in Russian Balalaika orchestras or small musical ensembles. Domra is the violin of Russian folk orchestra. It is one of the most flexible instruments in Russian orchestra... read more
An elderly man dressed in a thick gray coat brought in
an old balalaika. He said he wanted to sell it to the
best balalaika student. The Professor thought it over
and decided that the right to buy this balalaika by a
famous russian luthier Nalimov, also called the
Balalaika Stradivarius, belongs to Alyosha Siniavski.
Needless to mention that the amount of hastily
gathered 1,500 rubles would have been enough to buy a
brand new domestic car or to bribe a Party bureaucrat.
1991. Long Island, NY. 1st string
Right before the New Year with a merry zing went the
string. Broke, that is. I ran to the music store on
Glen Cove Rd. My English is nonexistent. I show to the
sales guy my balalaika and the broken string. In
return he shows me $20. Everybody watches us with a
vivid interest. I am thinking to myself that my Moscow
Olympic Games 80 balalaika is worth about $2 and
that 20 bucks is way over my budget. Later I whined a
string from a guitarist who played in
Garanyan-Frumkin’s jazz orchestra. That trophy string
is still intact although very rusty.
1992. Harrisburg, PA
We are hanging out at a local bar where a pint of beer
is 40 cents. Our English is O.5 per cent. Conversation
with the barman:
- Where are you guys from?
- We is from Brooklyn.
The barman says to his buddy:
- Them people from Brooklyn can’t speak no English.
We are proud that for the first time somebody took us
for the Americans... read more
Black cats dressed in Russian folk costumes with balalaikas
Russian folk costume designer Svetlana Gavrilova has made a set of black cats dressed in Russian costumes with balalaikas. To view all photos you may need to join the balalaika group on Google network
За более чем столетнюю историю развития балалайки накоплен немалый опыт в области методики и педагогики, но среди специалистов – балалаечников по многим вопросам нет единого мнения. На наш взгляд это объясняется тем, что отсутствует соответствующая теоретическая и методическая литература, такая как у скрипачей, пианистов и других исполнителей. Переиздаваемые из года в год пособия по обучению игре на балалайке представляют собой элементарные самоучители, в которых многие положения, касающиеся технологии исполнения, были отвергнуты современной исполнительской практикой. Тем не менее, было бы несправедливым не отметить отдельные работы, появившиеся в разные годы становления и развития исполнительской, методической и педагогической мысли балалаечников.
Первые опыты написания различных школ и самоучителей связаны с так называемым «Андреевским» периодом становления инструмента и исполнительства на нем. Популярность В.В. Андреева, выступавшего с пятиладовой балалайкой, была настолько велика, что в конце XIX века назрела необходимость издания пособия для желающих научиться играть на этом инструменте. Поэтому в 1887 году В.В. Андреев совместно с П.К. Селиверстовым издает «Школу игры на пятиладовой балалайке».
В начале девяностых годов выходят школы-самоучители И. Деккер-Шенка, Б.Бабкина и Ф. Пасербского, а также школа В.Андреева для хроматической балалайки. Уместно вспомнить школы-самоучители Н. Куликова, Ф. Фойтик, А.Шевелева и др., изданные в период с 1890 по 1898 годы.
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Александр Никитич Рожков
А. Н. Рожков родился в сентябре 1893 года в селе Петухово, которое расположено в 40 километрах от Томска. Село было основано выходцами из Центральной России, которых прельстили бескрайние сибирские просторы, леса и пашни. Вместе со своим нехитрым скарбом и домашней утварью они привезли и музыкальные инструменты. Свои первые музыкальные впечатления Саша Рожков получил именно в своем селе на различных вечеринках и праздниках. У мальчика был прекрасный слух, что было особенно важно для деревенского музыканта, не знающего нот.
В начале XX века семья Рожковых переезжает в Томск, где Александр поступает в приходское городское училище. В этот период он посещает Бесплатную городскую библиотеку Петра Макушина, где были кружки по интересам, в том числе и музыкальные.
Необходимо сказать, что на рубеже XIX - XX веков в Томске начинают возникать оркестры балалаечников и мандолинистов или, как тогда их называли, Великорусские оркестры. Толчком к их появлению послужило несколько обстоятельств, среди которых, несомненно, громадный успех первого Великорусского оркестра народных инструментов, созданного В.В. Андреевым. Слухи о нем дошли и до Томска. Немаловажную роль сыграла и широкая продажа балалаек, домр, гитар, мандолин, организованная в Томских магазинах П. Макушина, А. Смирнова и др. А. Н. Рожков начал посещать занятия кружка в Бесплатной библиотеке, и через некоторое время ему самому удалось организовать небольшой оркестр народных инструментов.
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УЧЕБНАЯ ПРОГРАММА "СПЕЦИАЛЬНЫЙ КЛАСС БАЛАЛАЙКИ – КОНТРАБАС"
Балалайка-контрабас – один из шести видов балалайки, разработанный В.В.Андреевым совместно с Ф.Пасербским и введенный в 1887-1888 годах в организованный им балалаечный ансамбль, а несколько позже – в Великорусский оркестр.
Основной функцией балалайки-контрабас (наряду с балалайкой бас) в ансамбле и оркестре было утверждение гармонической и ритмической опоры с редкими элементами озвучивания мелодической фигурации.
Эту же функцию балалайка контрабас несет и в современном русском народном оркестре. Но очевиден факт, что роль контрабаса в оркестре в последнее время значительно расширилась благодаря сочинениям современных авторов и современным инструментовкам и аранжировкам. Результат – актуализировалась проблема обучения, в том числе и оркестровых музыкантов.
В ансамблевом исполнительстве значение инструмента возросло еще сильнее: контрабасист стал полноправным солистом, выполняющим не только ансамблевые задачи, но представляющим значительные возможности инструмента в сольных и мелодических и виртуозных разделах произведений. Ярким примером тому может служить роль контрабасистов в известных российских ансамблях: «Скиф» (Астрахань), «Терем-квартет» (Санкт-Петербург), ансамбль Н. П. Будашкина (Чита) и др. Имеются отдельные факторы сольного музицирования, как, например, концертные выступления заслуженного артиста России Л.Соболева (Государственный ансамбль «Россия»). Для этого же музыканта некоторые российские композиторы написали оригинальные сочинения (П. Барчунов Концерт для балалайки контрабас с оркестром русских народных инструментов).
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Russian New Year's characters Father Frost and Snow Maiden
Ded Moroz and Snegurochka (Russian: Дед Мороз и Снегурочка)
Father Frost and Snow Maiden are the most important characters of the New Year's celebration in Russia. Father Frost (Ded Moroz, Russian: Дед Мороз) plays a role similar to that of Santa Claus. The literal translation of the name would be "Grandfather Frost". However, English-speakers traditionally translate "DED MOROZ" as the alliterative "FATHER FROST". Ded Moroz is always accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka - Snow Maiden (Russian: Снегурочка).
New York based ensemble Barynya created a special Russian New Year's program with traditional Russian winter songs, dances and music: "In the forest a fir-tree was born" (V Lesu Rodilas' Yolochka), "Small Fir Tree is Freezing during the Winter" (Malen'koi Yolochke Kholdno Zimoy), "The snowstorm is blowing along the street" (Metelitsa), "Father Frost" (Moroz-Moroz), "Five minutes" (Pyat' Minut).
Ded Moroz and Snegurochka are available for hire in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania (within 100 miles driving distance from New York City). For a fast price quote contact Mikhail Smirnov
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Imperskaya Music is North American company that manufactures and sells "Nalimov design" balalaikas, balalaika bags, and other accesories. Famous Russian luthier Semyon Nalimov, who developed and perfected the modern balalaika, was the inspiration for the Founder and Owner of Imperskaya Music Co. Boris Kosukhin... visit website
Hungarian-style Czardas written by Vittorio Monti
Variations on Russian folk song: "The Moon Is Shining Brightly"
Balalaika orchestra performance
Balalaika ("Belly Scratcher") made by craftsmen from Moscow Aleksandr Zhukovski: "I make musical instruments since 1990.
Design and shape of my instruments are based on archeologycal discoveries from Velikiy Novgorod and museum samples.
I started to make instruments for myself at first. After a while I started getting orders for different pieces
from musicians and folk groups in Russia and overboard. I also teach classes on Russian traditional folk
instrumental music. Russian folk ensembles "Kazachiy Krug", "Drevo", "Yakhont Lazorevy",
"Vetka", one of groups of D. Pokrovski (theatre on Taganka) are using guslis, liras and gudoks made by me"... 
Concert quality Balalaika made by famous Russian balalaika luthier Ershov in Moscow in 1989 is available for sale in Toronto, Canada for a bargain price of 750.00 Canadian Dollars or even exchange for 4-srtinged domra. Condition: like new. Instrument is fully serviced by professional balalaika maker Andreas Gerth from Berlin, Germany in 2006 - new tuners installed. Black ebony fingerboard. Pickguard and head dark-brown palisander. Clear and deep sound... 
Russian Balalaika Ringtones
Balalaika Virtuoso Bibs Ekkel
Ethnic Russian Music Album
Russian folk music, song and dance album
Russian Christmas Music Balalaika Album
Sergey Gusarov" Russian folk songs and balalaika music album
Balalaika music album "Barynya Russian folk songs"
