Alex Siniavski Balalaika and Gypsy guitar virtuoso from Philadelphia, PA

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Balalaika and Gypsy guitar virtuoso from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Alex Siniavski is one of most popular balalaika players. Alex (Alyosha) is a genuine balalaika YouTube sensation. He has had over 90 thousand (and counting) views on YouTube, placing him in the top 10 most-viewed balalaika videos of ALL TIME and the top 10 most-subscribed Russian folk musicians of all time. Mr. Siniavski is the musicial director of Barynya - the best Russian dance and music ensemble outside of Russia.

His own compact disk Barynya Russian folk songs was well recieved by Europian and American Russian folk music fans and professional musicians community. Tune "Dorogoi Dlinnoyu" from repertoire of Alex Siniavski have been selected for compact disk "Compilation of Russian Classic Folklore" released in Israel.

In March 2005 Alex Siniavski released BALALAIKA TUTORIAL ON DVD, the easy way to learn all balalaika techniques. 12 free video lessons are available to download from the website: scales, basic chords, Left Hand Position, learning a folk song, strumming, Thumb Pizzicato, Pizzicato Vibrato, Double Pizzicato, Single Pizzicato, Tremolo and Rolls Acclaimed balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavsky arrived in the United States of America in 1992 from St. Petersburg, Russia. As a soloist and director of Barynya he performs around the world, composes and arranges all music material for the concerts, compact disks and video of the ensemble.

Alex plays museum-quality balalaika, a three-stringed Russian instrument whose mandolin-like sound is perhaps best known in this country from the Dr. Zhivago soundtrack.

Alex was a leading member (balalaika prima) of The Andreev State symphonic balalaika orchestra, one of the most prestigious in former USSR. Alex graduated with honors from the Leningrad State Musical Conservatory. He have toured throughout the former Soviet Union, Europe and America, appeared on the television and radio in Russia, America and Africa.

Ensemble Barynya performed during diner Gala after the Liberty Medal 2008 was presented to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev by President George H.W. Bush. Official ceremony took place on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at The National Constitution Center located at 525 Arch St. on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall... letter of recommendation.

Eight Barynya dancers, four musicians and three singers entertained a black-tie dinner for more than 1,000 guests. Audience included President George H. W. Bush, Tom Brokaw, Dikembe Mutumbo and Van Cliburn. Barynya performed both concert music and dance throughout the evening. President's Bush and Gorbachev were thrilled. World known concert pianist Van Cliburn shake hands with the balalaika virtuoso Lev Zabeginsky. MC of the evening, American television journalist Tom Brokaw, used one of our microphones to do the toasts. He was standing next to Barynya musicians on the stage.

Barynya performers: Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals), Alex Siniavski (balalaika, Gypsy guitar), Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass), Lev Zabeginsky (balalaika), Yan Khmel (bayan); singers: Alexander Menshikov, Irina Zagornova and Diana Bruk; dancers: Anna Brovkina, Valentina Kvasova, Natalia Ejova, Olga Chpitalnaia, Andrei Kisselev, Ilia Pankratov, Vitaly Verterich and Alexey Maltsev.

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Russian Federation Embassy Estate USA. August 2008

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The Ephrata Review. June 2008

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Video from concert in New York City on January 26, 2008

Balalaika solo Alex Siniavski - соло на балалайке Алексей Синявский

View all videos from Zhenya Shevchenko and Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya performance in New York City on Saturday, January 26, 2008

Photos by Dalia Bagdonaite from Zhenya Shevchenko and ensemble Barynya concert and rehearsal on Saturday, January 26, 2008 in New York City

View all photos from the concert January 26, 2008 by Dalia Bagdonaite

July 16-28, 2007. Performance series in Ohio communities

view photos from Ensemble Barynya Ohio Summer Tour 2007

Ensemble Barynya was touring the state of OHIO as part of the Ohio Arts Council’s Summer International Music and Performing Arts in Communities Tour (IMPACT). Barynya performed many shows, Russian & Ukrainian dance workshops from July 17 to July 28, 2007. Performance locations included Lakeside, Warren, Marietta, Jackson and Grandview Heights. All performances were free and open to the public.

Barynya in Ohio 2007 tour DVD

Performers: Mikhail Smirnov - vocal, garmoshka, guitar, Alex Siniavski - balalaika, Gypsy guitar, Andrij Cybyk - dancer, choreographer, Valentina Kvasova - dance captain, dancer, Leonid Bruk - balalaika contrabass, Alexander Menshikov - singer, tambourine, Victoria Pichurova - singer, Natalia Ejova - dancer, Natia Rtveliashvili - dancer, Stefan Kuziw - dancer, Alex Sizov - dancer... view videos, order full lenght DVD of this concert.

ENSEMBLE BARYNYA PERFORMANCE AT THE Lions Clubs International 90th Convention in Chicago, IL at the Hilton Hotel for the Russian Evening Event on Sunday, July 3rd, 2007. On the photo from left to right: dancer Natalia Ejova, Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka), Jim Cox (contrabass), Alex Siniavski (balalaika), and dancer Andrij Cybyk... view full size picture

May 2007. Russian Nobility Ball-2007 in New York City

Ensemble Barynya @ Russian Nobility Ball 2007 photos

The Russian Nobility Association in America annual Spring Russian Nobility Ball took place at the luxurious "Pierre" Hotel on May 11, 2007 in New York City. Musicians and dancers of New York based Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya (full company) provided music for coctail hour and thirty minute music and dance program during the dinner. "Barynya" performed popular Russian Gypsy pieces: "Two Guitars", "Kay One", "Vingerka", "3 lines", Russian favorite balalaika arrangement "The Moon is shining brightly" and Cossack song and dance "Varen'ka"

Ensemble Barynya performance for “Gorodissky & Partners”, Ltd. reception held at the Fairmont Chicago Hotel, 200 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL, 60601 on Sunday, April 29, 2007 from 8 to 11pm. Musicians: M.Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals), Alex Siniavski (balalaika, Gypsy guitar), Stefan Kuziw (tambourine), and Richard Armandi (contrabass).

Cleveland Jewish News.com, April 2007

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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

March 2007. George Washington University

Slavic Spring Festival in Washington, D.C. pictures, video

Ensemble Barynya Penn State University tour 2007

           

Popular Russian song "Katyusha" performed on Russian garmoshka and Gypsy guitar during ensemble "Barynya" tour at the Penn State University campuses in January 2007. Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka), Alex Siniavski (Gypsy guitar). "Katyusha" is a Russian Soviet wartime song about a girl longing for her beloved, who is away on military service. The music was composed in 1938 by Matvey Blanter, lyrics - Mikhail Isakovski. It was first performed by the celebrated folk singer, Lidiya Rouslanova. "Katyusha" is a tender diminutive from the female name "Ekaterina" (Catherine).

Popular Russian folk song and dance "Kalinka" performed on Russian garmoshka, balalaika and Gypsy guitar during ensemble "Barynya" tour at the Penn State University campuses in January 2007. Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka), Alex Siniavski (Gypsy guitar, balalaika), and dancers Andrij Cybyk, and Natalia Ejova

The Andreev State symphonic balalaika orchestra

Alex Siniavski recordings, albums and MP3 downloads

Ethnic Russian Music Album recorded with ensemble "Barynya" in December 2006. Total time 45:46. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2006. Favorite Russian melodies and songs performed on garmoshka, balalaika, Gypsy and classic guitars and contrabass... more information, MP3 samples

Russian folk music, song and dance album. Runtime: 64 minutes. Ensemble "Barynya" live from Wisconsin. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2006. Songs: "The Peddlers", "You stood me up", "Angry mother (bila mene maty)", "Tongue Twister". Dances: "Hopak", "Sailor's Dance", "Barynya", "Kalinka". Balalaika solo: "The Moon is shining", "Chardash"... more info, MP3s, order

Russian Christmas Music Balalaika Album. Balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov (guitar). Runtime: 51 minutes. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2005. 25 Russian folk songs, dances, tunes, favorite Christmas and Holiday selections such as "Carol of Bells", "Deck The Halls", "Father Frost", "Jingle Bells", "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas", "Joy To The World", "Folk Carol from Smolensk", "Snowstorm", "Snegoorochka"... more information, MP3 samples

Sergey Gusarov" Russian folk songs and balalaika music album recorded with ensemble Barynya. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2004. Russian folk music, tunes, songs and dances including title song Sergey Gusarov. Runtime: 65 minutes... more information, MP3 samples

Balalaika music album "Barynya Russian folk songs" recorded with balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski. Runtime: 35m 09s, Cover Art: Yury Tarler. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2003. There are Russian folk tunes, dances and songs including "Evening bells", "Kalinka", "Katyusha", "Moscow Nights" and "Dark Eyes"... MP3 samples, order