Contact ensemble Barynya

Irwin, PA, Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian dancers, musicians, concert at Norwin Public Library, Pennsylvania

Two members of Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya performed one hour concert on Wednesday, July 31th, 2019 at 6pm at the Norwin Public Library located in Irwin, Pennsylvania. Exact address of the library: Norwin Public Library, 100 Caruthers Lane, Irwin, PA 15642. Cast of ensemble Barynya included balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina and Russian ethnomusicologist, folk singer, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion) player Mikhail Smirnov who led the performance by giving a short explanation of every number of the program in English. Mikhail talked briefly about costumes, instruments, traditions, explained the difference between Russian and English alphabet, and did several Russian tongue-twisters. Elina Karokhina performed several dance selections, and a few solos on Russian folk instrument balalaika.
 
Ensemble Barynya is available for hire for Performing Art Centers, school assemblies, festivals, colleges, universities, libraries, concert halls, restaurants, private and corporate events as one powerful ensemble or in smaller groups.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: msmirnov@yahoo.com / cell phone/text: (201) 981-2497.

Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, 237 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601, Wednesday, July 31th, 2019, 6PM

Ensemble Barynya, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov at the Norwin Public Library, 100 Caruthers Lane, Irwin, PA 15642, Wednesday, July 31th, 2019, 6PM

Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, 237 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601, Wednesday, July 31th, 2019, 6PM

Mikhail Smirnov led the performance by giving a short explanation of every number of the program in English. He talked briefly about costumes, instruments, traditions, explained the difference between Russian and English alphabet, and performed Russian tongue-twisters. Elina Karokhina performed several dance selections, and a few solos on Russian folk instrument balalaika.

Russian song and dance ensemble Barynya visits Ligonier Valley Library,  Photo by Dan Speicher, a Tribune-Review photographer, Ligonier Valley Library,  120 W. Main Street, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Russian Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 Russian song and dance ensemble Barynya visits Ligonier Valley Library,  Photo by Dan Speicher, a Tribune-Review photographer, Ligonier Valley Library,  120 W. Main Street, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Russian Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 Russian song and dance ensemble Barynya visits Ligonier Valley Library,  Photo by Dan Speicher, a Tribune-Review photographer, Ligonier Valley Library,  120 W. Main Street, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Russian Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 Russian song and dance ensemble Barynya visits Ligonier Valley Library,  Photo by Dan Speicher, a Tribune-Review photographer, Ligonier Valley Library,  120 W. Main Street, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Russian Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 Russian song and dance ensemble Barynya visits Ligonier Valley Library,  Photo by Dan Speicher, a Tribune-Review photographer, Ligonier Valley Library,  120 W. Main Street, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Russian Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 Russian song and dance ensemble Barynya visits Ligonier Valley Library,  Photo by Dan Speicher, a Tribune-Review photographer, Ligonier Valley Library,  120 W. Main Street, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Russian Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 Russian song and dance ensemble Barynya visits Ligonier Valley Library,  Photo by Dan Speicher, a Tribune-Review photographer, Ligonier Valley Library,  120 W. Main Street, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Russian Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 Russian song and dance ensemble Barynya visits Ligonier Valley Library,  Photo by Dan Speicher, a Tribune-Review photographer, Ligonier Valley Library,  120 W. Main Street, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Russian Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 Russian song and dance ensemble Barynya visits Ligonier Valley Library,  Photo by Dan Speicher, a Tribune-Review photographer, Ligonier Valley Library,  120 W. Main Street, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Russian Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 Russian song and dance ensemble Barynya visits Ligonier Valley Library,  Photo by Dan Speicher, a Tribune-Review photographer, Ligonier Valley Library,  120 W. Main Street, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Russian Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Tuesday, July 30th, 2019
Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Russian song and dance ensemble Barynya visits Ligonier Valley Library, photos by Dan Speicher, a Tribune-Review photographer

Program of performance:
01. "Nanaiskaiya Bor'ba", Siberian Nanai Tribe Sumo Wrestling dance (Russian: Борьба Нанайских мальчиков), "Nanai Tribe Fighters" ("Борьба двух нанайских малышей" - “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 is revealed in the end of the performance.
02. "Kaleenka-Maleenka", “Guelder-Rose Tree” - popular Russian folk song "Kalinka" (Russian: Калинка - малинка моя), Russian folk button accordion garmoshka introduction. ..."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!"...
03. "Metelitsa", Russian folk song and dance "The Snowstorm" (Russian: Метелица). "...Snowstorm is blowing along the street, My sweetheart is walking there, Please stop, do not walk, dear!, Let me look at you, my joy!..."
04. "Balalaika Introduction", introduction of Russian folk instrument balalaika. Elina performs Russian folk song "Komareenskaiya"
05. Dr. Zhivago's "Somewhere My Love". Balalaika solo Elina Karokhina
06. "Skoragavorkee", Medley of Russian Tongue-Twisters (Russian: Скороговорки) performed by Mikhail Smirnov
07. "Pidmanula", Ukrainian folk song and dance "You Tricked Me" (Ukrainian: «Ти ж мене пiдманула»)
08. "Korobeyneekee", Russian folk song "Peddlers" (Russian: Коробейники) and "Orkestr Russkikh Narodnykh Instrumentov", Russian percussian Band of kids and adults plays Russian song with musicians. "The Peddlers" - N. Nekrasov, V. Antipov - «Коробейники», слова: Н. Некрасов, музыка: В. Антипов. Russian favorite folk song. 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.
09. "Sabre Dance" - a movement in the final act of Aram Khachaturian's ballet Gayane (1942) - «Танец с саблями» — музыкальный отрывок из балета Арама Хачатуряна «Гаянэ» (1942). Balalaika solo Elina Karokhina
10. "Darogai Dlinnoayu" - ("Дорогой длинною" - “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". Solo Mikhail Smirnov
11. "Evreiskiy Tanets", Russian Jewish Wedding Dance with Candle (Russian: Еврейский танец со свечкой). Solo Elina Karokhina
12. Watz No.1, Op.83 by Auguste Durand - «1-й Вальс», Огюст Дюран. Balalaika solo Elina Karokhina.
13. "Barynya", Russian folk dance lesson and workshop for all kids in the audience (Russian: Урок русского народного танца). 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.
14. "Moroz-Moroz", popular Russian table song "Frost" (Russian: Ой, мороз, мороз), solo Mikhail Smirnov
15. "Ochee Chyornye" ("Очи черные" - “Dark Eyes”) - popular Russian Gypsy traditional song.
16. "Csardas" by Vittorio Monti - Чардаш Монти. Balalaika solo ELina Karokhina.
17. "Tanyets Medvedya", dance of Russian Bear (Russian: Танец медведя) "The Moon Is Shining Brightly" (Russian: Светит месяц, светит ясный)
18. "Q & A", short session of questions and answers and photosession - ответы на вопросы и фотосессия

VIDEOS

Concert at the Ligonier Valley Library, Jewish dance

Concert at the Ligonier Valley Library, Russian dance

Concert at the Rostraver Public Library, Dark Eyes

Rostraver Public Library, The Peddlers (with audience playing Russian percussions)

Concert at the Rostraver Public Library, Elina playes Durane Waltz

Concert at the Scottdale Public Library, Part 1

watch this video on www.YouTube.com website

Concert at the Scottdale Public Library, Part 2. Jewish Wedding Dance

watch this video on www.YouTube.com website

Concert at the Scottdale Public Library, Part 3

watch this video on www.YouTube.com website

Concert at the Scottdale Public Library, Part 4. Chardash

watch this video on www.YouTube.com website

Concert at the Scottdale Public Library, Part 5. Dance of Russian Bear

watch this video on www.YouTube.com website

Concert at the Monessen Public Library, Fiddler On The Roof Medley

About Elina Karokhina:
Balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia and began her formal training at the Mussorgsky Music College of St. Petersburg and continued her training at N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory, earning a degree as an Orchestra Soloist. She continued her training at the Conservatory, which included a brief residency in Germany. After, she returned to her native St. Petersburg and completed her education, earning a Doctor of Musical Art degree in the Balalaika. Following her graduation, she began working as a musician, both as a teacher and as a performer, teaching balalaika. Elina Karokhina served in the Russian Army in the Military Ensemble in the Northwest Order of Red Stars. As a balalaika soloist Elina has toured all over the world. When she moved to the United States in 2009 she was hired as a musicial director and soloist with the biggest professional Russian music, song and dance ensemble Barynya (New York). In January 2015 Elina Karokhina was selected to perform the balalaika part with Mariinsky Theatre directed by famous Russian conductor Valery Gergiev in Rodion Shchedrin's opera "The Enchanted Wanderer" at the Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York. In May 2016 she was hired to play six concerts at the Carnegie Hall in New York City as a part of "The Orchestra Rocks" international event. In September 2016 he appeared at the Carnegie Hall again as a part of "Moscow Gypsy Army" group representing rich musical culture of Eastern Europian Roma people. In January 2017 Elina was hired to play Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh" Suite at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. with the National Symphony Orchestra. All four performances were under direction of world-famous conductor Sir Mark Elder. Recently Elina was invited to perform as a Honored Guest Artist at the Balalaika and Domra Association of America 40th Jubilee Convention in Philadelphia.

New Jersey Balalaika Duo, Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina, photo cblueit Yuriy Balan New Jersey Balalaika Duo, Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina, photo credit Yuriy Balan New York Balalaika Duo, Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina, photo credit Yuriy Balan

About Mikhail Smirnov:
Mikhail Smirnov was born in Moscow, Russia. Mikhail is an artistic director and founder of ensemble Barynya based in New York City, author of many articles about traditional Russian dance, music and instruments in English and Russian. Mikhail received his Master's degree from the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts. As a child, he was a member of the famous "Moscow Boys Chorus" - one of the most prestigious all-male choirs in Russia. Before coming to the United States in 1991, Mikhail was a soloist in a several Russian folk dance and music groups including the Moscow State Center for Russian song, "Russkaya Pesnya", under the direction of Nadezhda Babkina. In January 2009 Mikhail Smirnov and dancers of ensemble Barynya were featured on national TV, NBC's "SUPERSTARS OF DANCE" - breathtaking international dance competition led by executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller (American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance). This prestigious dance competition hosted by Michael Flatley ("Lord of the Dance") and Susie Castillo, a former Miss USA. Mikhail Smirnov was one of eight judges to decide which country will win. The show premiered on NBC network. Ensemble Barynya is a world renowned group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia. Under direction of Mr. Smirnov ensemble Barynya has become the most requested Russian dance, song and music show outside of Mother Russia.

Westmoreland Library Network presents Barynya Balalaika Duo
Westmoreland Library Network presents Barynya Balalaika Duo, Barynya Duo Brochure, About Barynya, This program was made possible by the Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: msmirnov@yahoo.com / cell phone/text: (201) 981-2497.

RELATED LINKS

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Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina, and other members of Russian dance, song, and music ensemble Barynya performed at the many other events in Pennsylvania:
Adams County Heritage Festival
Concert at the Neumann College in Aston
Russian-American wedding at the Country Club of Scranton in Clarks Summit
St. John’s Social Hall, Delmont, PA
Caldwell Memorial Library in Derry
School assembly at the Doyle Elementary School in Doylestown
Multicultural school assembly at the Wasson Elementary School in Du Bois
School show at the St. Mary/Mt Carmel School in Dunmore
Russian Festival Troika in Erie
Russian dancers show during international festival in Gettysburg
Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, Greensburg, PA
Penn Area Library in Harrison City
St. Edward Church in Herminie
School performance at the Moshannon Valley Elementary School in Houtzdale
Norwin Public Library, Irwin, PA
Jeannette Public Library, Jeannette, PA
40th conference of Balalaika and Domra Association, Valley Forge Casino Resort, King Of Prussia
Cabaret show programs at the Kislak Camp located near Lake Como
Multicultural School Assembly at the Inglewood Elementary School in Lansdale
Ligonier Valley Library in Ligonier
School assembly program at the Greenwood Elementary School in Millerstown
Monessen Public Library in Monessen
10-18-2012, St. Jude School, Mountain Top, PA
Mount Pleasant Public Library, Mount Pleasant, PA
Murrysville Community Library, Murrysville, PA
Peoples Library New Kensington, New Kensington, PA
Wedding at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA
Birthday party at the private house near Philadelphia
Russian birthday party at the Kavsar Halal Restaurant in Pittsburgh
Russian birthday party at the Mirage Banquet Hall in Pittsburgh
Wedding at the Schenley Park Visitors Center and Cafe in Pittsburgh
Russian-American wedding at the Northampton Valley Country Club in Richboro
Rostraver Public Library in Rostraver Township
Scottdale Public Library, Scottdale, PA
School assembly at the South St. Marys Street Elementary School in St. Marys
Concert at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Williamsport
School show at the Locust Grove Elementary School in York.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: msmirnov@yahoo.com / cell phone/text: (201) 981-2497.