Balalaika-contrabass, bass balalaika, балалайка-контрабас, бас балалайка
Balalaika-bass and contrabass balalaikas (Russian: балалайка-контрабас, бас балалайка) 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.
Leonid Bruk and Russian music ensemble Barynya performances during the Balalaika and Domra Association of America conference-2010. The conference took place at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota in July 2010.
Musicians: Elina Karokhina (balalaika),
Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass),
Mikhail Smirnov (guitar, vocals).
Camera - Sergey Rogozin,
video editing - Leonid Bruk.
All videos and photos from this performance.
Contrabass balalaika virtuoso Leonid Bruk from Brooklyn, New York is pictured as a Russian bear who plays the bass balalaika. More costumed characters are available for hire.
Gop So Smykom. Ensemble Barynya. April 2007.
Beck Center for the Arts, Lakewood, Ohio. "Gop So Smykom" literally "Hop With A Violin Bow", an untranslatable slang nickname of a criminal character,
roughly "High-Spirited Hop". In the opening stanza he introduces himself: "Gop So Smykom happens to be me, Listen well, friends.
For my trade I've chosen theft. I am hardly ever out of prison, and when I am, the prison misses me. But whatever prison I may be in, not a minute passes without me singing. I stick my hands in my pockets, And walk around, singing out of boredom... read more
Russian folk tune "Svetit Mesyats" (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
Below is the small translation of the song lyrics into English. Russian original text is included as well for those who can read Russian Cyrillic.
СВЕТИТ МЕСЯЦ
Светит месяц, светит ясный
Светит белая заря.
Осветила путь дорожку
Мне до Сашина двора
THE MOON IS SHINING
The moon is shining, shining brightly
The white nightfall is shining too
My pathway is eliminated
All the way to the Sasha's place
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, but deeply and with strength.
There have been no considerable changes since the time of Vasily Vasilievich Andreyev,
but the playing technique is being constantly developed and improved.
Waltz Daydreams performed by Balalaika Russian Folk Music Trio 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.
1,94 MB video mpeg file
BALALAIKA CONTRABASS DESCRIPTION
First string: D, major octave.
Second string: A, contra octave.
Third string: E, contra octave.
The playing method is the same as the playing method of the balalaika bass.
However, the arpeggio is not used here.
To obtain a harmonious and powerful tremolo without rattling, it is recommended to use a big and solid leather plectrum.
The balalaika contrabass is the foundation of the orchestra and its' harmonious and rhythmic support.
The balalaika contrabass plays the same role in the orchestra as the bass.
Leonid Bruk with contrabass balalaika, Alex Siniavski (balalaika) and Mikhail Smirnov (guitar). Kings Plaza Macy's, Brooklyn, New York City
Bass-balalaika and Russian folk dancer Valentina Kvasova
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
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 Balalaika Group on Google Network.
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.
New York Russian folk music band specialty is Russian folk music and songs. All band members are top professional musicians. 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.
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.
Gop So Smykom
Russian folk tune "Svetit Mesyats" (The moon is shining brightly)
