♫ Russian Balalaika and Garmoshka Duo
Sasha Resitor-balalaika, Mikhail Smirnov - guitar, garmoshka

russian folk | russian music | balalaika | Russian entertainment | CONTACT/BOOK

Russian Balalaika Duo is performing in New York, New Jersey, PA and nationwide. Acclaimed Balalaika virtuoso Sasha Ressetar and Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, gusli, guitar and vocal) founded this successful duo back in 1995. Sasha and Mikhail 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. Mikhail Smirnov is a a professional Russian folk singer, performer and musician with many years of experience. Director of Russian folk music and dance ensemble Barynya, Mikhail Smirnov also plays garmoshka, balalaika, guitar, jaleika, kugikly, contrabass balalaika and gusli. His specialty is traditional Russian folk music and songs from various regions of Russia. As a student of Moscow State Institute of Culture Mikhail (Misha) went to many different parts of Russia such as Tver, Smolensk and Belgorod as a collector of Russian folklore. Mr. Smirnov recorded over 100 hours of Russian folk songs, tunes, and lyrics. Many of those songs are used in the program of New York based Russian folk music and dance ensemble "Barynya", where he is working as a managing director since the group was found in 1991.
read more about Misha

Sasha (Alexander) Ressetar first heard the balalaika when he was a child. He was born in 1963 in San Antonio, Texas at Lackland Air Force Base. At three years of age he stated to listen to old Russian records. His father was serving as a Russian Orthodox priest at that time. He had a collection of Russian choral and instrumental music which included the Serge Jaroff Male Choir and Sasha Polinoff's orchestra. At that time, Polinoff played the balalaika in Russian restaurants in New York City. At a very early age Sasha decided to be like Polinoff.

Alexander Ressetar started playing balalaika when Mrs. Anastasia Karnow from Philadelphia organized a balalaika orchestra at the parish in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, this was not yet the musical instrument of choice. By age 16 Sasha was playing a guitar in a punk rock band. He picked up the balalika again 4 years later when he was a student at the Art Institute of Pittsburg. He was stayed with balalaika ever since. Sasha began working in New York City in 1986 and within one month he was playing at the RASPUTIN Restaurant on West 46th Street. Since that time he was played at many restaurants all over Big Apple. Some of them, like THE SAMOVAR, FIREBIRD, are still famous but many others have gone out of business (RUSSIAN TEA ROOM).

contact/book

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
History of Russian balalaika
Balalaika made in 1887
Balalaika handmade in Moscow, Russia
Contrabass Balalaika and Bass Balalaika
Balalaika Contrabass Buying Guide
Christmas Diary of the balalaika player
Russian American Wedding or balalaika scam
Russian music album "What a Balalaika!" by Nikita Siniy
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
Balalaika Dance Trio, Philadelphia, PA
Brooklyn Balalaikas
The Balalaika Russe
Russian music duo from Chicago, Illinois
Balalaika Stooges
Kalinka Duo: balalaika and bayan from Austin, TX
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
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)
How to play tremolo on balalaika (in Russian)
Американско-Русская свадьба или как обмануть балалаечника
 

ADVERTISEMENT

Russian American singles dance party on the boat Marco Polo "Lucille", New York Skyports, East 23rd Street & FDR New York City, Friday, July 18, 2008, from 7 pm to 11 PM DJ BARNAUL will play mix of popular European, Russian, American music of 80th, 90th and current hits. Guest performer Belly dancer Angela. ADMISSION $50 INCLUDES SNACKS, FRUIT BAR. LIMITED TICKETS. RESERVE BEFORE JULY 10. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL JANNA (862) 668-8824, to buy tickets on-line go to www.RussianDJ.mobi

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