01. "Barynya" ("Áàðûíÿ") - original Russian folk dance with short "Chastushki" (four line folk verses). It was the first number in the program that was presented by ensemble back in 1991. The Barynya dance is an alternation of limericks and frenetic dancing. The content is always humoristic. The dancing consists mainly of fancy stomping and traditional Russian squat work. In old times in Russia the word "Barynya" (Landlady) was used by simple folks as a form of addressing to a woman of higher class. 2 min 15 sec.
02. "DOROGOY DLINNOYU" - ("Äîðîãîé äëèííîþ" - “The Long Road”) - popular Russian song. Music B. Fomin (~1800), lyrics K. Podrevsky: "By the long way in full moon light with that song that's calling me far away". Singer Alexander Menshikov. 3 min 40 sec.
04. "Nanai Tribe Fighters" ("Áîðüáà äâóõ íàíàéñêèõ ìàëûøåé" - “Fight of two kids from Nanai tribe”) - idea of this dance belong to Igor Alexandrovich Moiseyev, famous Russian choreographer (1906-2007). The sumo-style kind of wrestling match is the favorite sport of the Nanai people who inhabit the frigid Northern region of Russia. This dance has a very special secret that will be revealed in the end of the performance. 2 min 10 sec.
05. "Metelitsa" ("Ìåòåëèöà" - “The Snowstorm”)- traditional Siberian Russian song and dance.
"...Snowstorm is blowing along the street, My sweetheart is walking there, Please stop, do not walk, dear!, Let me look at you, my joy!..." 2 min 30 sec.
06. "Korobushka" - ("Êîðîáóøêà" - “The Peddlers”) - Russian favorite folk song. Lyrics are by the great Russian poet Nekrasov. A countryside peddler has a basket filled with attractive prints and brocades. At first-sight he falls in love with a pleasant girl. He is ready to lay at her feet all his worldly goods for a glance from her dark eyes and a kiss from her ruby-red-lips. Singer Mikhail Smirnov. 3 min 30 sec.
07. "Varen'ka" ("Êàçà÷èé òàíåö" - "Cossack dance") - Don River Cossack songs and dance. Kazaki are better known outside of Russia as Cossacks (Turkish word meaning Outlaw, Adventurer or freebooter/freeman). The Don Cossacks had their own independent republic for most of the 17th century, and in 1835 reached an agreement with the Russian czar, according to which they would provide him with highly trained soldiers in return for land and special privileges. Kazaki (Cossacks) are first mentioned in the 15th century as freedom-loving exserfs, Tatars and descendants of Scythian warriors living on the open plains of southern Ukraine and Russia's Don River basin. Many Hollywood movies depict fearless, captivating warriors, quite lively, dancing with their sabers. 3 min 30 sec.
08. "Tsyganskaiya Fantaziya" - ("Öûãàíñêàÿ ôàíòàçèÿ" - "Gypsy Fantasy") - instrumental. Virtuoso medley of a few favorite Russian Gypsy songs. Balalaika solo Elina Karokhina. 3 min 10 sec.
09. "Ochee Chyornye" ("Î÷è ÷åðíûå" - “Dark Eyes”) - popular Russian Gypsy traditional song. Soloist Alexander Menshikov. -
Dark eyes, burning eyes
Frightful and beautiful eyes
I love you so, I fear you so
For sure I've seen you at a sinister hour
Dark eyes, flaming eyes
They implore me into faraway lands
Where love reigns, where peace reigns
Where there is no suffering, where war is forbidden.
2 min 10 sec.
10. "Dve Gitary, Kai One" - ("Êàé ¨íý" - “Where are they?”) - fast dance of Roma Gypsies. ("Äâå ãèòàðû" - “Two Guitars”) - famous Russian Gypsy song and dance.
"Beyond the wall two guitars Sorrowfully wailed...
That memorable tune from childhood:
Darling, is that you?
Ekh, once, then once again,
And still many, many more times..."
5 min 10 sec.
12. "Vdol' Po Piterskoi" ("Âäîëü ïî Ïèòåðñêîé" - “Along The Piterskaya Street”) - popular Russian folk song. Soloist Alexander Menshikov.
2 minutes 40 seconds
13. "Hopak" ("Ãîïàê" - “Hopak”) - national dance of Ukraine is also referred to as Gopak or Cossack dance. Hopak has been incorporated into larger artistic opuses such as operas and ballets.
3 minutes 50 seconds
17. "Mazal Tov" - ("Åâðåéñêàÿ ñâàäüáà â Îäåññå" - “Jewish wedding in Odessa") - Jewish wedding dance from Odessa region of Ukraine. Music courtesy of Richard Bernard (www.KlezmerLosAngeles.com, www.RussianBalalaika.com).
4 minutes 10 seconds
19. "Kalinka" - ("Êàëèíêà" - “Guelder-Rose Tree”) - most famous Russian folk song and dance.
..."Juniper, juniper, juniper, my juniper,
In the garden there's the berry, my raspberry.
Under the pine, under the green pine,
Lay me down to sleep
Oh you dear pine, oh you green pine,
Don't you rustle so loud over me
Beautiful maid, dear maid,
Please fall in love with me!"... 3 minutes 30 seconds
"Trepak" Russian dance from Tchaikovsky's Ballet Nutcracker - «Òðåïàê»
Anya Zeenenko and Boulat Moukhametov performing Russian dance Trepak from "Nutcracker" ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky during Aspen Santa Fe Ballet company's winter tour 2010.
