Ensemble Barynya concert programs

120 minute program | 90 minute program | 60 minute program

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01. "DAYDREAMS WALTZ" composed by the "Father of Russian balalaika" Vassily Vassilievich Andreev (born 186l). Russian Balalaika solo. The Waltz is performed by all musicians (instrumental)

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02. "Korobushka" (The Peddlers) - Russian traditional song. Lyrics are by the great Russian poet Nekrasov. Russian favorite for 150 years. A countryside peddler has a basket filled with attractive prints and brocades. At first-sight he falls in love with a pleasant girl. He is ready to lay at her feet all his worldly goods for a glance from her dark eyes and a kiss from her ruby-red-lips. Performed by all musicians and singers

03. "STAKANCHIKI GRANYONYE" ("VODKA GLASSES") - popular Russian Gypsy song from the repertoire of Piotr Lescenko - King of Tango. Performed by all musicians and singer.

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04. SUBBOTEYA ("Saturday affair") - Russian folk song performed by all musicians and singers. In this song young girl explains to her boyfriend how he should behave: "You have to bring me gifts, take me out all the time, you should not kiss me, but only hug"...

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05. "BARYNYA" (Barin's wife) - original Russian folk dance with short "shastushki" (four line folk verses). It was the first number in the program that was presented by ensemble back in 1991. The Barynya dance is an alternation of limericks and frenetic dancing. The content is always humoristic. The dancing consists mainly of fancy stomping and traditional Russian squat work. In old times in Russia the word "Barynya" (Landlady) was used by simple folks as a form of addressing to a woman of higher class. Performed by full company: all musicians and dancers

06. "NATALIYA" is a Russian Tongue Twister solo song from Siberian region. In this song a young man falls in love with so awesome a beauty Natalia. In jest he thinks to kill himself, then he rethinks to kill her. Moral is the knife is broken, the pitchfork is bent and Natalia is still alive. Performed a capella by "Misha" (Mikhail Smirnov) - director of the ensemble "Barynya".

07. "OCHEE CHYORNIE" (DARK EYES) - very popular Russian Gypsy traditional song. Performed by all musicians and singers.

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08. "AKH, TY, BERYOZA" (Oh, You, Birch-Tree) - Russian folk tune. Instrumental. Balalaika solo.

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09. Russian folk dance METELITSA Dancers Olga Chpitalnaia and Ganna Makarova. "...Snowstorm is blowing along the street My sweetheart is walking there. Please stop, do not walk, dear! Let me look at you, my joy!..."

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10. “SERGEY GUSAROV” - funny rhythmic about Russian lifestyle. Music A. Siniavski, lyrics M. Smirnov. All musicians and singers.

11. "Son Stepana Razina" (Stenka Rasin`s Dream) - an ancient ballad about the famous Cossack brigand STEPAN RAZIN who went to war against Russian Tsar. According to the legend, Stenka (STEPAN) had a dream in which a furious wind blew his black hat off his head. Razin`s colonel quickly foretold the ataman's imminent death.

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12. "GOP SO SMYKOM" - Russian folk song from town of Odessa (beginning of the last century). "GOP SO SMYKOM" (literally "Hop With A Violin Bow") is 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...

13. RUSSIAN SAILORS' DANCE RUSSIAN SAILORS' DANCE DIDEO Russian traditional dance "YABLOCHKO" (Small Apple). Arrangement written by Alex Siniavski. This famous Dance of Russian Sailors was performed by many troupes for international audiences all over the world represents genre of "Socialist Realism".

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14. "RUSSIAN BALALAIKA LESSON" - Balalaika virtuoso explains basic techniques how to play the balalaika while performing famous piece written for Russian balalaika "The moon is shining brightly" (SVETIT MYESYATS). Recording made 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)

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15. "PIDMANULA" ("You Stood Me Up") - playful authentic Ukrainian folk song and dance. Fellow's girlfriend never keeps her promises.

16. "ANGRY MOTHER" (BILA MENE MATY) - traditional song of Ukraine. Performed by two singers with accompaniment of the garmoshka (folk button Accordion).

17. "MAROUSYA" - Ukrainian folk song. Ancient marching song of Ukrainian soldiers. "Marousya Raz, dva, tri" - "Marousya one, two, three!" Performed by all musicians and singers.

18. Ukrainian folk dance "Hopak"

4 min 25 sec Ukrainian traditional dance Hopak recorded October 19th, 2006. Ensemble "Barynya" live performance at John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, WI

INTERMISSION

19. "DEVOCHKA NADYA" (Girl Nadya) - Traditional song from Odessa region. Performed by all musicians

20. "VALENKI" (FELT BOOTS) - Russian folk song Valenki are traditional Russian winter footwear. Valenki literally means, "made of felt". Valenki are still a part of the Russian army uniform. Performed by all musicians and female singer.

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21. "DOROGOY DLINNOYU" ("By The Long Road") - Russian Gypsy song. Music B. Fomin (~1800), Lyrics K. Podrevsky. Russian Gypsy folk song performed by all musicians and singers: "By the long way In full moon light With that song That's calling me far away"

22. Russian Cossack Dance "VAREN'KA" (full company)

1 min 24 sec Russian Cossack Dance "Varen'ka" recorded June, 2006
performance at PEPSI world headquoters in Purchase, New York

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23. "YA VSTRETIL VAS" (I Met You) - popular Russian romance. Lyrics by poet Fedor Tyutchev, music of unknown author. Balalaika solo. Instrumental. Performed by all musicians. "I met you and the past came back to life in my dead heart. Remembering a golden time, my heart became so warm..."

24. "IZVOZCHIK" (Moscow's Cabman) - popular Russian song from the repertoire of famous in the last century singer from Ukrainian town of Odessa Leonid Utyosov (1895-1982). Performed by all musicians and singer Mikhail Smirnov.

25. "BRODYAGA" (Vagabond) - Traditional Russian song. Performed by all musicians and singer

26. "KALINKA" (Guelder-Rose Tree) - Russian traditional song and dance. Lyrics are by the great Russian poet Nekrasov. Russian favorite for 150 years. A countryside peddler has a basket filled with attractive prints and brocades. At first-sight he falls in love with a pleasant girl. He is ready to lay at her feet all his worldly goods for a glance from her dark eyes and a kiss from her ruby-red-lips. "...Under the pine, under the green pine, Lay me down to sleep Oh you dear pine, oh you green pine, Don't you rustle so loud over me Beautiful maid, dear maid, please fall in love with me..."

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27. "CZARDAS" (Hungarian-style dance) written by Vittorio Monti. This dance begins slow and easy and then ends up in a fast whirling and turning.. Barynya musicians Alex Siniavski (balalaika), Mikhail Smirnov (guitar) recorded during 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.

28. "NE BUDITE" (Do Not Wake Me, The Young One, Up) - Russian Gypsy song of 20th century. Performed by all musicians and singers.

29. Russian Gypsy folk dance and song "TWO GUITARS"
30. Gypsy traditional song and dance "KAI ONE"

3 min 59 sec Russian Gypsy folk dance "Two Guitars" recorded October 19th, 2006. Ensemble "Barynya" live performance. John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, WI

31. "ETHNIC RUSSIAN SONGS MEDLEY". Folk songs recorded by Mikhail Smirnov during his folklore expeditions to remote Russian villages to collect traditional songs, mythology, costumes and music..

32. "LARA'S THEME" recurring musical cue written by composer Maurice Jarre for "Doctor Zhivago" motion picture. It has become an internationally known tune and remains a favorite to this day. Instrumental. Performed by all musicians

33. "VARENICHKI" (Ukrainian Dumplings) - traditional Ukranian jocose song. The hungry husband begs his wife to prepare Varenichki. The lazy wife finds every possible excuse to refuse him... Performed by all musicians and singers

34. "MOSKOVSKAIA KADRIL" (Quadrille of Moscow suburbs) - traditional Russian folk dance. Performed by all musicians and dancers

35. "KUPETS" (Bold merchant was returning from the market...) . This is a city romance from the 19-century. Performed by all musicians and singer.

36. "POLYUSHKO-POLE" (MEADOWLANDS) is a well-known Russian folk tune performed by all musicians.

37. "VO KUZNITSE" (At the Blacksmith's) - authentic Russian blacksmith's work song accompanied by rhythmic folk instruments

38. "Podmoskovnye Vechera" (Moscow Nights) - popular Russian lyric song. 39. "KATIUSHA" - Popular Song from the period of W.W.II

40. "KAZANKA" - Russian folk songs and dance. Full company

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