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BROOKLYN BALALAIKAS Russian Folk Music Trio

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BROOKLYN BALALAIKAS Russian Folk Music Trio was founded in Brooklyn, New York by acclaimed contrabass-balalaika player Leonid Bruk in 2000. Long rehearsals took place in cold garage of Leonid's house in Bay Ridge. Many Russian residents of Brooklyn still can remember the excitement of Brooklyn Balalaikas first performance in Kings Plaza Macy's store. Russian "rubashkas" and "kosovorotkas" (outfits) were made for ensemble members by Leonid Bruk's wife, talented Russian folk singer Irina Zagornova. Brooklyn Balalaikas trio musicians Alex Siniavski (balalaika, Gypsy guitar), Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals) and Leonid Bruk are also performing sometimes as part of Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya from New York.

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

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

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

Chardash
Alex Siniavski (balalaika solo) - "Chardash"

Korobushka
Mikhail Smirnov - "Korobushka"

with singers Sasha Menshikov and Victoria Pichurova

Glasses
Mikhail Smirnov - "Two Guitars"

with dancers Andrij Cybyk and Natalia Ejova

Glasses
Ukraininan folk dance "Hopak"

with dancers Andrij Cybyk, Stefan Kuziw,
Natalia Ejova and Valentina Kvasova
A. Menshikov - tambourine

Gop So Smykom
Mikhail Smirnov - "Gop So Smykom"

Alexander Menshikov (tambourine)

Victoria Pichurova
"Tri Linii"

with singer Victoria Pichurova
Alexander Menshikov - tambourine

Dark Eyes
"Dark Eyes"

with singer Alexander Menshikov

Kai One
"Kai One"

with singer Alexander Menshikov and Victoria Pichurova

Glasses
"Stakanchiki"

with singer Alexander Menshikov

Katyusha
"Katyusha" - popular Russian song from peroid of WWII

with singers Victoria Pichurova and Alexander Menshikov

BROOKLYN BALALAIKAS PHOTOS

Russian folk music trio "Brooklyn Balalaikas" 
at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA, Russian Mosaic FestivalRussian folk music trio "Brooklyn Balalaikas" 
at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA, Russian Mosaic FestivalRussian folk music trio "Brooklyn Balalaikas" 
at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA, Russian Mosaic FestivalRussian folk music trio "Brooklyn 
Balalaikas" at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA, Russian Mosaic FestivalRussian folk music trio "Brooklyn 
Balalaikas" at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA, Russian Mosaic FestivalRussian folk music trio "Brooklyn 
Balalaikas" at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA, Russian Mosaic FestivalRussian folk music trio "Brooklyn Balalaikas" 
at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA, Russian Mosaic Festival
Pictures from trio "Brooklyn Balalaikas" performance at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA, 2005

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

Barynya @ Russian Nobility Ball 2007
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".

April 2007. Beck Center for the Arts, Lakewood, Ohio

Gop So SmykomGop 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 "THE MOON IS SHINING" VIDEO

russian folk tuneRussian 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

Russian Balalaika Trio is playing Waltz Daydreams composed by Vasily Vasilievich Andreev
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

Russian balalaika Trio Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov, Leonid Bruk
videoclip
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)

Akh, Ty Beruoza Russian folk tune "Oh, You, Birch-Tree"
55 seconds clip

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

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

Russian Folk Music Trio "Brooklyn Balalaikas" has extended repertoire of Russian, Ukranian, Gypsy and international folk and popular music. References, audio and video samples are available upon request. Professional quality own sound system.

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.

Balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski
Alex Siniavski
Balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski is playing Russian folk tune The Moon is Shining Brightly
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.

Russian folk song VALENKI (Felt Boots)
with singer Natasha
Balalaika Trio playing Russian folk tune The Moon is Shining Brightly
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).
Mikhail Smirnov
misha smirnov

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Balalaika Russian Dance and Music Trio
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Balalaika virtuoso Sasha Ressetar
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Balalaika prime Simon Lemberskiy
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Balalaika virtuoso Lev Zabeginsky
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Balalaika contrabass Leonid Bruk
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New York Balalaika Duo
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Kalinka Duo: Sergey Vashchenko-balalaika, Vladimir Kaliazine-bayan, Austin, TX
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Sergey Vashchenko
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Balalaika stooges
 
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Brighton Beach Menestrels
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The Balalaika Russe. Photo by Martin Koenig
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Tum Balalaika
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RELATED LINKS

Balalaika Balalayka Балалайка
Russian folk music free MP3 download
Free Russian Balalaika Ringtones
Free Russian sheet music
Russian costumes
Russian lyrics, Russian songs translations into English
Russian folk
Russian music
DOMRA
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Christmas Diary of the balalaika player
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Barynya Russian Entertainment database
Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya from New York
New York balalaika orchestra
Russian Band from New York
Russian Balalaika duo from Philadelphia, Pennsilvania
Russian Balalaika and Garmoshka Duo
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The Balalaika Russe
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Alex Siniavski - Balalaika virtuoso from Philadelphia, PA
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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
The Balalaika and Domra Association of America 2006 photos
BDAA 2005 conference in Madison, Wisconsin video
BDAA 2005 conference in Madison, Wisconsin photos
School of playing balalaika contrabass (in Russian)
Aleksandr Nikitich Rozhkov (in Russian)
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Американско-Русская свадьба или как обмануть балалаечника
RUSSIAN SINGERS DIRECTORY
RUSSIAN MUSIC ENSEMBLES

 

Traditional dance and music ensembles for hire

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Russian traditional music songs Los Angeles California
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Russian Balalaika Duo   Russian Balalaika duo from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Alex Siniavski - balalaika, Mikhail Smirnov - guitar, garmoshka, vocals

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Brooklyn Balalaikas
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Cossack Spirit
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Svetlana Smirnova and Yury Selivanov  Svetlana Smirnova and Yury Selivanov - Honored performers of Russia - Moscow, Russia

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Piques Dames
 

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Traditional Russian, Cossacks, Gypsy and Ukrainian music and dance
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Russian song ensemble SVETOCH
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