Russian Balalaika duo from Philadelphia, Pennsilvania

schedule of performances | contact/book

RUSSIAN BALALAIKA DUO consists of acclaimed balalayka and Gypsy guitar virtuoso Alex Siniavski and Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar and vocals). First official performance of the Russian Balalaika Duo took place at the Wheaton village (1501 Glasstown Road, Millville, NJ 08332) on January 25,2003.

Since 2003 Alex (Alyosha) and Mikhail (Misha) have toured all over the United States of America, appeared on various television and radio shows, performed in schools, colleges, clubs, various stages and concerts, and recorded a few compact disks.

RUSSIAN BALALAIKA DUO performance length is up to 120 minutes. Duo offers explanation of the program in english, colorfull stage costumes. Extended repertoire of Russian, Ukrainian, Cossack, Gypsy, Klezmer and international music and songs.

Balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski arrived in the United States in 1992 from St.Petersburg, Russia. He was a leading member of The Andreev State symphonic balalaika orchestra, one of the most prestigious in former USSR. Alex Siniavski graduated with honors from the Leningrad State Musical Conservatory.

Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals) arrived in the United States in 1991 from Moscow, Russia. After graduating from Moscow State Academy of Arts Mikhail Smirnov was performing with Moscow State Folk Center "Russian Song" ("Russkaya Pesnya").

Hungarian-style Czardas written by Vittorio Monti. Balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov (guitar) recorded during Russian music and dance ensemble "BARYNYA" concert on March 8, 2003 at the Smithsonian Institute of America. Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural History. Washington, DC. "Czardas" was written by Vittorio Monti for either violin or mandolin and piano. It was soon arranged for all kinds of instruments including the balalaika. Not many people remember Vittorio Monti these days, but everyone will be familiar with his "Czardas".

Variations on Russian folk song: "The Moon Is Shining Brightly" is the most popular pieces performed on Russian balalaika ever. Alex Siniavsky - balalaika, Mikhail Smirnov - guitar. Recorded on March 8, 2003 during performance at the Smithsonian Institute of America. (Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural History. Washington, DC.)

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

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 Matvei Blanter and the lyrics were written by Mikhail Isakovsky. It was first performed by the celebrated folk singer, Lidiya Ruslanova. 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.

Ensemble Barynya Penn State University tour 2007

           

January 27, 2006. Beaver Dam Club. Locust Valley, New York

Alex Siniavski and Mikhail Smirnov performance at Beaver Dam Club at the World Champions exhibition and skating event in Locust Valley, New York. On the picture Alex and Mikhail are with the gold medalists of the 2004 World Figure Skating Championships in Ice Dancing. From left to right: Tatiana Navka, Mikhail Smirnov, Roman Kostomarov and Alex Siniavski

Compact disk titled Russian Christmas Music Balalaika Album recorded and released by Balalaika Russian folk Duo: Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov in 2005. There are 25 favorite Russian Christmas and Holiday selections performed on balalaika and guitar. There is one folk Russian Christmas Carol recorded by Mikhail Smirnov in folklore expedition in Smolensk region of Russia in 1988 (track 13). Track # 5 - Father Frost - performed on Russian folk button accordion GARMOSHKA. Total time - 51 minutes.

AUDIO SAMPLES

MP3 file Beryoza Russian folk song MP3 file Kalinka Russian folk song MP3 file Katyusha Russian Song MP3 file Ochi Chernye Gypsy romance More Russian folk tunes, dances and songs performed by balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski with guitar accompaniment by Mikhail Smirnov from Compact Disk BARYNYA RUSSIAN FOLK SONGS.

CREDITS

One piece from repertoire of Russian Balalaika Duo Those were the days, my friend, very same song that was released on Alex Siniavski and Mikhail Smirnov compact disk Barynya Russian folk songs, has been selected for Compact Disk "BALALAIKA. Compilation of Russian Classic Folklore" released by Helicon Records (www.helicon.co.il) in Israel.

"Balalaika Russian Folklore Compilation" compact disk On that CD Alex Siniavski and Mikhail Smirnov are featured with such famous Russian groups and soloists as Andreyev Imperial Russian Orchestra, Boris Christoff, The Choir of the Don Cossacks of Russia, Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra, Soviet Army Chorus and Band, The Terem Quartet and Twice Red-Banner Academical Singing and Dancing Ensemble Of Russian Army and other great balalaika performers.

"Balalaika Russian Folklore Compilation" compact disk

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Garmoshka, Harmonika, "Button Box", "25x25"
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RUSSIAN FOLK
Russian folk dancers, singers, musicians and ensembles
Russian folk dance and music ensemble "Barynya"
Balalaika Russian Folk Music Trio
Russian folk music trio "Barynya"
"Misha and Natasha from Russia"
"Beyond The Don River Russian folksongs"
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Balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski
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History of Russian balalaika
Duo "Russian Balalaika" 
BALALAIKA

♫ Дуэт Русская балалайка

Знаменитый балалаечник-виртуоз Алекс Синявский и Михаил Смирнов (гармошка, гитара, гусли) начали выступать вместе с 1995 года и проехали с гастролями по всей Америке.

В репертуаре дуэта русская народная и популярная музыка, классика, огромный опыт выступлений - более 1000 шоу и концертов на различных сценах США, Европы и Африки, участие во многих теле- и радиопередачах. Красочные костюмы, продолжительность концерта до 120 минут, при необходимости объяснение программы на английском языке.

Балалаечник Алёша Синявский приехал в США в 1992 из Ленинграда.

Алёша Синявский

Миша Смирнов

Миша Смирнов (гармошка,гитара) приехал в США в 1991 из Москвы.

Алекс Синявский играл в знаменитом Академическом Русском народном оркестре им. В.В.Андреева, одном из престижнейших коллективов страны, закончил Ленинградскую консерваторию.

Оркестр Андреева

Русская Песня

Миша закончил Московский Государственный институт культуры по специальности хоровое дирижирование, по окончании работал в Московском государственном фолк центре "Русская песня" п/у Надежды Бабкиной артистом ансамбля.

Музыкальные примеры

MP3 file Берёза MP3 file Калинка MP3 file Катюша MP3 file Очи чёрные Скачать русские народные песни, наигрыши с компактного диска балалаешника-виртуоза Алекса Синявского БАРЫНЯ РУССКИЕ НАРОДНЫЕ ПЕСНИ

Одна из песен в репертуаре дуэта ("Дорогой длинною, да ночкой лунною") была включена в компактный диск "Балалайка, сборник классического Русского фольклора", выпущенный студией звукозаписи "Геликон" (www.helicon.co.il) в Израиле.

На этом компактном диске Алекс Синявский и Михаил Смирнов попали в компанию таких знаменитых ансамблей и исполнителей как Государственный академический русский оркестр имени В. Андреева, хор Донских Казаков, оркестр Осипова, трио Реликт, Терем-квартет, ансамбль песни и пляски Александрова, бас Борис Христофф, Николай Массенкофф и других.

КОНЦЕРТНЫЕ ВИДЕОЗАПИСИ

Чардаш Монти. Алекс Синявский - балалайка, Михаил Смирнов - гитара. Записано на концерте ансамбля Барыня в Smithsonian Institute of America, аудитория Baird, Музей Национальной истории в Вашингтоне, округ Колумбия 8 марта 2003

Вариации на тему русской народной песни "Светит месяц". Концерт ансамбля Барыня в Smithsonian Institute of America, аудитория Baird, Музей Национальной истории в Вашингтоне, округ Колумбия 8 марта 2003

Вариации на тему русской народной песни "Светит месяц" Василия Васильевича Андреева (1861-1918) являются наиболее популярным номером, который исполняет каждый балалаечник-виртуоз. Этот мотив настолько знаменит, что даже был упомянут в книге Михаила Булгакова "Собачье сердце"

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

Очень настойчиво с залихватской ловкостью играли за двумя стенами на балалайке, и звуки хитрой вариации "Светит месяц" смешивались в голове Филиппа Филипповича со словами заметки в ненавистную кашу. Дочитав, он сухо плюнул через плечо и машинально запел сквозь зубы: - Све-е-етит месяц... Све-е-етит месяц... Светит месяц... Тьфу, прицепилась, вот окаянная мелодия! "Собачье сердце" "Михаил Булгаков"

January 25,2003 program (Wheaton village) Korobochka/Коробочка Kalinka/Калинка I met you/Я встретил вас Walts (v. Andreev)/Вальс Андреева Moscow nights/Подмосковные вечера Katyusha/Катюша The moon is shining/Светит месяц By the long road/Дорогой длинною Saturday affair/Субботея Yablochko/Яблочко Oh, you, birch tree/Ах, ты берёза

"Дуэт Русская Балалайка", "Cтудия Звукозаписи AS IS" и "Барыня энтертейнмент" рады сообщить о выходе компактного диска "Барыня русские народные песни" балалаешника-виртуоза Алекса Синявского и Миши Смирнова (гитара). Диск записан в Буддистском Центре на Западной улице Апсэл, город Филадельфия, США. Оформление обложки - художник Юрий Тарлер На диске 15 русских народных и популярных песен, танцев, мелодий и наигрышей на балалайке в гитарном сопровождении. Скачать бесплатные mp3 файлы, почитать тексты и переводы русских народных песен, заказать диск ->

compact disk cover

Dance and music ensembles for hire

Rostov Don Cossacks State Academic Song and Dance Ensemble from Rostov-Na-Donu, Russia.

Barynya - Russian folk music and dance ensemble from New York established in 1991. Russian, Tsygansky (Russian Gypsy Roma), Cossack, Ukrainian traditional dances, songs, virtuoso performances on musical instruments (balalaika, garmoshka, bayan, domra, balalaika-contrabass) with explanation of the program in English. Artistic Director Mikhail Smirnov.

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. Artistic Director Vadym Khavrun.

Chicago Cossacks - Russian music and song ensemble from Chicago, Illinois

New York Balalaika Orchestra is usually invited to play at Russian Orthodox weddings, fundraising balls, large scale social events, presentations, Doctor Zhivago's style corporate parties in New York Tri-State area

VIA ROMEN - Russian Gypsy Roma traditional music and dance ensemble . Artistic director Vadim Kolpakov.

RUSSIAN BAND specialty is Gypsy, Ukrainian, Russian music and songs. All RUSSIAN BAND members are top professionals with many years of experience. 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. Travel with own pro-quality sound system.

Russian Balalaika duo from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Alex Siniavski - balalaika, Mikhail Smirnov - guitar, garmoshka, vocals

Russian Gypsy Guitar Violin Duo from New York, New York performs Russian, Gypsy, Ukrainian, Moldovian, Hungarian music and songs. Sergei Pobedinski - guitar, vocals, Valeriy Zhmud - violin.

Vasily Romany Gypsy Band - New York based Tsygansky (Russian Gypsy Roma) music and dance show. Artistic Director Vasily Romani (Yankovich).

Tsygane - Russian Gypsy Roma dance, music, song ensemble New York City

Gypsy Violin Duo Nina and Isaac Danchenko from Brooklyn, New York

Tum Balalaika - Russian, Jewish, Ukranian, Gypsy band from Chicago, Illinois

Russian Dance & Music Duo from New York performs in traditional costumes. Program of Russian Cossack Ukrainian and Tsygansky (Russian Gypsy Roma) folk songs, music and dances. Affordable price. Duo is available for Arts in education programs, concerts, convention promotions, media appearances, private parties, special events, theme engagements, weddings, etc.

Brooklyn Balalaikas -Russian Folk Music Trio from Brooklyn, New York. Artistic Director Leonid Bruk.

Cossack Spirit - Cossack song, music and dance trio from New York founded by dancer and singer Valentina Kvasova, singer Victoria Pichurova and Russian button accordion virtuoso Victor Danilochkin in 2007. Ensemble performs Cossack folk music, songs and dances. All members of the group are highly trained in former USSR performers.

Old Red Wine - Klezmer, Yiddish, Russian dixieland band from Brooklyn, New York. Artistic Director Shlomo Leiderman.

Svetlana Smirnova and Yury Selivanov - Honored performers of Russia - Moscow, Russia

Kalinka Duo - Sergey Vashchenko- balalaika, Vladimir Kaliazine- bayan, Austin, TX

Zabava - Russian folk ethnographic group from Saratov, Russia

Timofeyev and Kolpakov Russian Gypsy 7-string guitar duo performs traditional music, songs and dances of the Russian Roma (Gypsy) tradition, ancient Gypsy melodies, heartfelt lyrical romansy, accompanied by the Russian Gypsy 7-string guitars. Oleg Timofeyev holds an M.A. in Early Music Performance from the University of Southern California (1993), and a Ph.D. in Performance Practice from Duke University (1999). Lead guitarist and artist of the Moscow Gypsy Theater Romen, Vadim Kolpakov has been steeped in the tradition from childhood, plays the Russian 7- string guitar, sings and dances.

The Internationals World Music Ensemble from Chicago, Illinois plays Russian, Italian, Jewish, Ukrainian, Cossack, Gypsy, American oldies, and classical music from all around the world. Flexible structure depending on the clients' needs.

Piques Dames - Russian singers from New York City is a group of talented, classically trained musicians that perform in the New York metropolitan area at musical festivals, weddings, radio shows private and corporate events. Their repertoire includes a variety of Slavic and European Classical and Folk vocal music as well as compositions from operatic and sacred classics.

Russian traditional dance and music program NY, NJ, CT, PA, MD designed for smaller budget venues with limites space for the dancing. 3 dancers, 1 musician.

Cossack dancers USA founded in New York City by Ukrainian choreographer, teacher and dancer Andrij Cybyk in 2007.

Balalaika Russian Dance and Music Trio - Russian Cossack dance, balalaika and garmoshka music from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

NEW YORK RUSSIAN DANCE AND MUSIC TRIO - Russian, Cossacks, Ukrainian and Gypsy dances, music and songs. Authentic instruments: garmoshka, balalaika, gusli. Different set of costumes for each dance.

Cossack music and dance trio from Brooklyn, New York

Russian song ensemble SVETOCH

MORE TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE GROUPS

For fast quote contact Barynya Entertainment

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Alex Siniavski - Balalaika virtuoso from Philadelphia, PA
Lev Zabeginsky - New York balalaika virtuoso
Sasha Ressetar - balalaika player from Harrisburg, PA
Simon Lemberskiy - balalaika player from Brooklyn, New York
Contrabass Balalaika player Leonid Bruk
Sergey Vashchenko - Balalaika virtuoso from Austin, TX
Balalaika tutorial DVD by Alex Siniavski
Balalaika Virtuoso Bibs Ekkel
Russian Christmas Music Balalaika Album
Balalaika music album "Barynya Russian folk songs"
The Balalaika and Domra Association of America
BDAA 2007 Festival of Russian Music
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BDAA 2005 conference in Madison, Wisconsin video
BDAA 2005 conference in Madison, Wisconsin photos
School of playing balalaika contrabass (in Russian)
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Американско-Русская свадьба или как обмануть балалаечника
 

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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 Father Frost and Snow Maiden - Ded Moroz and Snegurochka in New York City - photos