How a Russian virtuoso made the ‘balalaika’ FAMOUS around the world

Until the end of the 19th century, the ‘balalaika’ was considered a peasant's instrument – used to accompany ‘chastushkas’ (folk rhymes and ditties) and folk songs.

No one even thought it was suitable for the big, professional stage. However, everything changed thanks to musician Vasily Andreev (1861-1918).

An instrument of the people

This young nobleman from Bezhetsk, Tver Region, was passionate about music from a young age: While still in high school, he learned to play the violin and mastered several other instruments on his own. He often performed in concerts and entertained high-society audiences.

Andreev recalled that, one day, he heard his worker sitting on the porch playing the ‘balalaika’. The rhythm and originality of the instrument amazed him. "I remember that at that very moment, a thought was seared into my brain as if with a hot iron: to play it myself and to perfect the art of playing the ‘balalaika’!"

He not only mastered musical techniques, but also developed uniform standards for the instrument. In 1884, a local carpenter made his first ‘balalaika’, after which he began experimenting, resulting in the ‘balalaika’ acquiring its modern form.

Prior to this, it had no uniform musical tuning: each performer tuned it as they saw fit. Andreev standardized the instrument and began giving his own concerts on the ‘balalaika’. Both audiences and music critics of the time noted his genius when playing the "simple" instrument.

The union of the ‘balalaika’ & the tailcoat

Together with masters Franz Paserbsky and Semyon Nalimov, he developed orchestral varieties of the ‘balalaika’ – ‘piccolo’, ‘prima’, ‘alto’, ‘tenor’, ‘bass’ and ‘contrabass’. This made it possible to create professional ensembles and perform complex musical pieces.

In 1887, Andreev opened the ‘Circle of Balalaika Players’ and, a year later, gave its first performance in St. Petersburg. Imagine an ensemble of distinguished musicians in tailcoats performing Russian folk songs, as well as classical pieces arranged for ‘balalaikas’. It was so original that the group instantly became popular.

In 1900, Andreev's circle triumphantly performed at the World's Fair in Paris: the Russian ‘balalaika’ became a real sensation. The Andreev Orchestra went on tour across Europe and the United States, receiving rave reviews from audiences.

The Andreev Russian orchestra

As early as 1897, the circle had grown into the ‘Great Russian Orchestra’ and, in 1914, it became the ‘Imperial Orchestra’.

In addition to ‘balalaikas’, the ensemble incorporated various versions of the ‘domra’, another ancient Russian instrument, as well as the ‘gusli’ (psaltery).

At the same time, training programs for playing the ‘balalaika’ and ‘domra’ were developed. These folk instruments are now studied both in conservatories and professional music schools.

After the founder's death in 1918, the orchestra continued his traditions. Since 1961, the ensemble has been called the ‘Andreev Russian Folk Orchestra’.

Today, it has about 60 members and, in addition to ‘domras’, ‘balalaikas’ and ‘guslis’, the orchestra features ‘bayans’ (button accordions), brass instruments (like wind chimes) and percussion instruments.