10 Russian FOLK bands that have enchanted fans WORLDWIDE (VIDEOS)
Lively ‘chastushkas’ (short, four-line Russian folk songs) and lyrical folk songs, mesmerizing ‘khorovods’ and spirited squat dances. The musical ensembles in our selected listicle below showcase the vast diversity of Russian musical culture and preserve its centuries-old traditions.
1. The Berezka choreographic ensemble
The ensemble's signature move is the ‘floating step’, which creates the illusion that the dancers are not walking, but gliding across the stage, like swans on water. Nadezhda Nadezhdina, its founder, drew inspiration from traditional folk round dances. In 1948, she established ‘Berezka’, which became one of Russia's most famous choreographic ensembles in Russia and abroad.
2. The Andreyev Russian orchestra
This was the first-ever orchestra composed entirely of Russian folk instruments, where musicians play according to the principles of a symphony orchestra. This means it doesn't just feature ‘balalaikas’ and ‘domras’, but their orchestral varieties: alto, bass, prima and so on. The creation of these instruments is the achievement of the virtuoso ‘balalaika’ player Vasily Andreyev. In 1888, he refined folk prototypes and developed a system of orchestration, proving that complex concert music, not just simple ‘chastushkas’, could be played on ‘balalaikas’ and ‘domras’.
3. The Pyatnitsky Russian folk choir
This is another one of Russia's oldest musical groups. In 1911, it became the first peasant choir to receive professional status. It was founded by folklorist Mitrofan Pyatnitsky, who traveled through villages studying folk songs in their authentic performances.
4. The Northern Russian folk choir
Founded in 1926 in Arkhangelsk, this choir still professionally performs folk songs from the Russian North, as well as original songs in a folk style. Songs about the sea, winter and warm gatherings. The Northern Choir is distinguished by its complex polyphonic singing and distinctive northern dialect.
5. The Kuban cossack choir
Founded in 1811, it rightfully holds the title of the oldest musical ensemble in Russia. Its Cossack songs touch the soul, as many are dedicated to service for the Motherland and family. Every performance by the choir is an unforgettable spectacle!
6. The Igor Moiseyev ballet ensemble
The world's first professional folk dance ensemble was founded in 1937. Igor Moiseyev was, without exaggeration, a choreographic genius. He didn't just perform folk dances; he created stage masterpieces based on them. The ensemble became famous for both its Russian dances and its ‘Dances of the World’ program, which masterfully presented dozens of internationally known numbers, from Greek sirtaki to the Argentine ‘Gaucho’.
7. The Ural Russian folk choir
This uniquely colorful ensemble introduces audiences to the song culture of the Urals. Its vibrant productions feature lyrical songs, playful ‘chastushkas’, as well as work songs about factory labor. It was founded under the Sverdlovsk Philharmonic in 1943 by distinctive amateur performers of surrounding villages.
8. The Omsk Russian folk choir
You can hear the diversity of Siberian folklore at the concerts by the Omsk Choir, which was founded in 1950. Its repertoire is based on folk and original songs and dances with unique melodies.
9. The academic choir of Russian song
Founded in 1945, this choir has repeatedly amazed audiences with its vibrant programs. It includes both a dance group and an orchestra. Its repertoire covers a vast layer of culture: from authentic folklore in careful arrangements and spiritual music to classical works based on folk music and compositions by contemporary composers.
10. The Nekrasov orchestra of folk instruments
Like the Andreyev Orchestra, this ensemble was created by a virtuoso ‘balalaika’ player back in 1945. However, Nikolai Nekrasov went beyond folk music, adding the most complex classical works and jazz improvisations to the repertoire. And all of this is performed on Russian folk ‘domras’ and ‘balalaikas’.
