"Brooklyn Balalaikas" Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov and Leonid Bruk videos

Alex Siniavski (balalaika solo) - "The Moon is Shining"

Alex Siniavski (balalaika solo) - "Lara's Theme"

Alex Siniavski (balalaika solo) - "Chardash"

Mikhail Smirnov - "Korobushka"
with singers Sasha Menshikov and Victoria Pichurova

Mikhail Smirnov - "Two Guitars"
with dancers Andrij Cybyk and Natalia Ejova

Ukraininan folk dance "Hopak"
with dancers Andrij Cybyk, Stefan Kuziw,
Natalia Ejova and Valentina Kvasova
A. Menshikov - tambourine

Mikhail Smirnov - "Gop So Smykom"
Alexander Menshikov (tambourine)

"Tri Linii"
with singer Victoria Pichurova
Alexander Menshikov - tambourine

"Dark Eyes"
with singer Alexander Menshikov

"Kai One"
with singer Alexander Menshikov and Victoria Pichurova

"Stakanchiki"
with singer Alexander Menshikov

"Katyusha" - popular Russian song from peroid of WWII
with singers Victoria Pichurova and Alexander Menshikov

BROOKLYN BALALAIKAS PHOTOS

Pictures from trio "Brooklyn Balalaikas" performance at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA, 2005

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".

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) recorded on Sunday, April 15, 2007 at the Beck Center for the Arts. 17801 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio performed by Alex Siniavski (balalaika), Leonid Bruk (balalaika contrabass), Mikhail Smirnov (guitar) 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

MORE BROOKLYN BALALAIKAS VIDEOS

25 seconds clip

Waltz Daydreams This waltz composed by "father" of Russian balalaika Vasily Vasilievich Andreev (born 186l). Solo by balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov-guitar, Leonid Bruk-balalaika-bass. 1,94 MB video mpeg file

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I met you - Popular Rusian romance, lyrics by Fedor Tyutchev, music of unknown author. Solo by balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski Mikhail Smirnov (guitar), Leonid Bruk (balalaika-bass)

55 seconds clip

"Akh, Ty Beryoza" Russian folk tune "Oh, You, Birch-Tree" Traditional 4581 KB video mpeg file

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Valenki ("Felt Boots") Russian Balalaika Trio is playing Traditional Song "Valenki". Solo Natalia Smirnov 3701 KB video mpeg file

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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. He is also master of trombone and euphonium.

Alex Siniavski

Alex Siniavski

New York based Balalaika-contrabass player Leonid Bruk was born in Leningrad, Russia. He graduated from music school as a bass guitarist and performed with many different groups. Since 1989 when he arrived to USA, Leonid was deeply attracted to the bass-balalaika. He has played with variuos folk groups and soon become known expert in Russian folk music. His specialty is playing balalaika-bass and balalaika-contrabass.

with singer Natasha

Balalaika trio

Russian folk performer, singer and musician Mikhail Smirnov has over fifteen years of experience in traditional Russian folk singing and music,he plays garmoshka and guitar. Before graduation Misha (Mikhail) was a soloist/choirmaster at vocal semi-professional group "Moskovia" (director Valery Nesterov). After graduating from Moscow State Academy of Arts Mikhail Smirnov was performing with Russian folk Theatre "Matanya" and Moscow State Folk Center "Russkaya Pesnya" (Russian Song, director Nadezhda Babkina).

misha smirnov

More balalaika players, soloists and ensembles

Balalaika virtuoso and Gypsy guitar virtuoso Alex Siniavski from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

New York Balalaika Orchestra performs at Russian Orthodox weddings, fundraising balls, large scale social events, Doctor Zhivago's style corporate parties.

Russian Balalaika Duo: Alex Siniavski and Mikhail Smirnov with program of Russian, Ukrainian, Gypsy, Cossack, Klezmer, and international music and songs performed on balalaika, garmoshka and guitars. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.

Chicago Cossacks - Russian music and song ensemble from Illinois.

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

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.

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

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

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Balalaika prime Simon Lemberskiy from Brooklyn, New York.

Balalaika virtuoso Lev Zabeginsky from New York City.

Balalaika Contrabass player Leonid Bruk from Brooklyn, New York.

New York Balalaika Duo - balalaika player Lev Zabeginsky and Mikhail Smirnov (vocals, garmoshka, guitar).

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

Balalaika virtuoso Sergey Vashchenko from Austin, TX.

Balalaika Stooges.

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The Balalaika Russe - Russian balalaika band photos and story.

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