Mikhail Smirnov (Misha) is a professional Russian folk singer and musician with many years of experience.
He plays garmoshka, balalaika, guitar, jaleika, kugikly, contrabass balalaika and gusli.
Mikhail is an artistic director and founder ensemble "Barynya" from New York, owner of Barynya Entertainment, director of 5GRAND.US Russian wedding band and dancers, author of many articles in English and Russian.
MIKHAIL SMIRNOV VIDEOS
Video from concert in New York City on January 26, 2008
Mikhail Smirnov, Victoria Pichurova, Valentina Kvasova, Olga Chpitalnaia, Natalia Ejova, Mikhail Nesterenko, Stefan Kuziw, and Roman Lewkowicz photos from Slavic Cultural Festival that took place on September 29, 2007 at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, VA. Ensemble Barynya shared the stage with the Kazak Family Trio of Belarus, the Bandura Tells of Ukraine, and local organization, the Washington Balalaikas Society Orchestra.
October 6, 2007. Performance with Sierra Nevada Balalaika Society
Russian Gypsy singer Alexander Menshikov and Mikhail Smirnov performed as guests artists at the concert with the Sierra Nevada Balalaika Society. Concert took place on October 6, 2007 at the
Nightingale Hall at the University of Reno. The Sierra Nevada Balalaika Society is based in Reno, Nevada, and is an affiliate of the BDAA (Balalaika and Domra Association of America)... view pictures
Artistic Director of the Barynya ensemble Mikhail Smirnov was invited to play gusli, balalaika, garmoshka and sing Russian tongue twisters at the FOLKLORAMA 2007 (the largest and longest running multicultural festival of its kind in the world) festival held annualy in Winnipeg, Canada.
July 16-28, 2007. Performance series in Ohio communities
Ensemble Barynya was touring the state of OHIO as part of the Ohio Arts Council’s Summer International Music and Performing Arts in Communities Tour (IMPACT). Barynya performed many shows, Russian & Ukrainian dance workshops from July 17 to July 28, 2007. Performance locations included Lakeside, Warren, Marietta, Jackson and Grandview Heights. All performances were free and open to the public.
July 9-15 , 2007. The Balalaika and Domra Association of America 2007 Decorah, Iowa
Singer Alexander Menshikov and garmoshka player
Mikhail Smirnov were invited as guest artists and teachers of Russia Gypsy traditional music to the annual conference of The Balalaika and Domra Association of America. To see pictures from this wonderful Festival of Russian music click the image above.
July 3, 2007. Lions Clubs International 90th Convention in Chicago, IL
ENSEMBLE BARYNYA PERFORMANCE AT THE
Lions Clubs International 90th Convention in Chicago, IL at the
Hilton Hotel for the Russian Evening Event on Sunday, July 3rd, 2007.
On the photo from left to right: dancer Natalia Ejova, Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka), Jim Cox (contrabass), Alex Siniavski (balalaika), and dancer Andrij Cybyk... view full size picture
May 2007. Russian Nobility Ball-2007 in New York City
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. Fairmont Chicago Hotel, Chicago, IL
Sunday, April 29, 2007 from 8 to 11pm. “Gorodissky & Partners”, Ltd. reception at Fairmont Chicago Hotel, 200 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60601. Musicians: M.Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals), Alex Siniavski (balalaika, Gypsy guitar), Stefan Kuziw (tambourine), and Richard Armandi (contrabass). This was the first time ensemble Barynya performed with Richard Armandi on contrabass and Stefan Kuziw on tambourine. We have got Richard's number twenty hours before the show from our friend MOJO. Our own favorite contrabass-balalaika player L.Bruk failed this time.
April 2007. Beck Center for the Arts, Lakewood, Ohio
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
February 2007. Embassy of Russia in Washington, DC
Ensemble "Barynya" provided music and dancing for the MASLENITSA at the
Embassy of Russia in Washington, DC. It was a long drive from Brooklyn for every BARYNYA member: dancer Vitaly Verterich, singer Victoria Pichurova, musicians Alex Siniavski (balalaika, Gypsy guitar), violinist Alexander Tseytlin and Ruslan Khain (c-bass). Login to YAHOO to see bigger photos from the inside of Russian Embassy in Washington.
Ensemble Barynya Penn State University tour 2007
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 Matvey Blanter, lyrics - Mikhail Isakovski. It was first performed by the celebrated folk singer, Lidiya Rouslanova. "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 in Eugene, Oregon in 2006 and 2007
September 2006. Baltimore, Maryland 2 min 20 sec Russian Gypsy folk song and dance "Those were the days" video. Folk singer Alexander Menshikov and Russian music ensemble "Barynya" showcase at the booking conference on September 29, 2006 in Baltimore, Maryland. Mikhail Smirnov-guitar, Vadim Kolpakov-Russian Gypsy 7-string guitar, Ruslan Khain - balalaika contrabass, Alex Siniavski-balalaika, Gypsy guitar
August 2006. Reno, Nevada
Alexander Menshikov and Mikhail Smirnov are performing as "GYPSY BOYS" at the "Starlight Serenade" concert presented by the Sierra Nevada Balalaika Society at the Bartley Ranch Amphitheater, at 7:30 pm on Saturday, September 2nd. The Sierra Nevada Balalaika Society is dedicated to the perpetuation of music written for the balalaika, domra, and related instruments.
July 2006. Akron, Ohio.
The annual conference of The Balalaika and Domra Association of America took place in Akron, Ohio.
Mikhail Smirnov and singer Alexander Menshikov went there to teach Russian folk singing and Russian folk chorus and also to perform for over 160 attendees of the BDAA conference. view photos
JUNE 2006. WORLD YACHT PRINCESS, NEW YORK CITY
Barynya musicians play aboard World Yacht's " Princess" at Pier 81 (West 41st street at the Hudson River) in New York City at the Russian Children's Welfare Society event "Petroushka on the Hudson".
MAY 2006. UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION, NEW YORK CITY
United Nations Association event in Lighthouse International over on EAST 58th street in New York City. Barynya performes with two dancers, two musicians and singer... read recommendation letter
APRIL 2006
Maslenitsa at the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC.
MARCH 2006
Barynya musicians are playing at the New York's landmark The Waldorf's Astoria Hotel at the Benefit Concert "Petroushka Ball" for The Annual Fundraiser of the Russian Children’s Welfare Society... more pictures
FEBRUARY 2006 Barynya performance at the World Champions exhibition and skating event in Locust Valley, New York.
On the picture ensemble Barynya musicians with the gold medalists of the 2004 World Figure Skating Championships in Ice Dancing Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov. From left to right: Tatiana Navka, Mikhail Smirnov, Roman Kostomarov and Alex Siniavski
May 2005
Ensemble Barynya was invited to perform at the Annual Russian Nobility Ball.
The show took place in Grand Ball Room of "The Pierre Hotel", Fifth Avenue at 61st Street, New York City, USA on
Friday, May 13th, 2005. Everybody loved professionalism of Barynya dancers and musicians.
There was a piece in the International Russian TV news RTVI about the Ball that you can download below.
When Russian Nobility of the United States wants to party "Russian Way", they hire ensemble Barynya to dance and sing for them!
In February of 2004 ensemble Barynya participated in "Party Planner with David Tutera" on famous Discovery Channel show.
It was funny how many people watched that show on TV and complemented us on being a part of it.
That is clear now that best in Party Business choose BARYNYA when they are looking for Russian theme entertainment.
Russian dance and music ensemble "Barynya" was founded back in 1991. Sasha Anchutin, Natasha Demidova and myself rehearsed the first few numbers at the Russian restaurant Fyodoroff in Glen Cove, Long Island. We always started concert program with traditional dance "Barynya" which later become the name of our group.
Russian entertainment database
In 1998 I registered and begin to design and promote
Russian entertainment database website wich has become the first on-line Russian
folk entertainment resouce in the United States. Since 1998 more then 500 venues found and hired Russian folk dancers,
musicians, singers and ensembles using this daily updated catalog.
Registration is still free!
Since 2005 I become a member
of many booking conferences for touring artists. There is hope to get even more gigs for performers and groups listed on my website
in the United States and all over the world.
Russian America
Being apart from professional performing on the stage with extraordinary musicians and dancers of ensemble Barynya I still go to parties with my friends. Then I take with me my favorite TULSKAYA GARMOSHKA, balalaika or guitar. We will sing and dance chastushki, Moroz-Moroz, Kalina and all our favorite Russian songs.
Tall Man Park, New York
Russian folk music and dance ensemble Barynya performance
Russian Heritage Event at Macy's Kings Plaza. Brooklyn, New York
Leonid Bruk, Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov
In 1994 I have met wonderful musician and balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski.
As "Russian Balalaika Duo" we performed all over the United States, released two compact disks:
Barynya Russian folk songs, Sergey Gusarov and first in the world BALALAIKA TUTORIAL ON DVD.
In 1992 extremely talented Russian dancer Sasha Anchutin, who was trained and performed with world known Moyseev Dance Company,
joined the group as choreographer and dancer. That was the beginning of Russian folk dance and music ensemble Barynya.
The first show took place at Russian restaurant "Fyodoroff", Carle Place, Long Island, NY.
The show always started with the dance BARYNYA and that also served as a name of our project.
Russian folk Trio Barynya, 1992
Misha and Natasha from Russia
After a while we started to perform with Natalia Demidova as Russian folk duo
Misha and Natasha from Russia. Together we made compact disk "Beyond The Don River Russian Folksongs.
That recording was very well recieved by people.
It was offered through TOWER RECORDS chain, QVC Television Network and many other venues.
We did not make millions, but it was great! People recognize us, we were touring the country with various groups, giving
interviews to newspapers and signing autographs.
On May 7th 1991 I arrived in the United States as a part of the "Moscow State Center Russkaya Pesnya (Russian Song)", director Nadezhda Babkina. Our show consisted of Elena Ivanova, Elena Kuz'mich, Marina Gorokhova, Natalia Demidova, Leonid Gorelov and Dmitriy Sharov and myself. We performed at the Russian restaurant "Fyodoroff" in Carle Place, New York.
When my student years in Moscow State Academy of Arts were over I was working as singer/actor and choirmaster of Russian folk theatre MATANYA.
It was a lot of fun. We were touring Siberia and rehearsing in Central House of Culture of Rail Road Workers.
After ensemble "MATANYA" I was working with well known in Russia
"Moscow State Center Russkaya Pesnya (Russian Song)", director Nadezhda Babkina.
With this group I was lucky to perform in the best concert halls of
Russia and touring in Kongo and USA.
Mikhail Smirnov as a student at Moscow State Institute of Culture and Art
Russian Folklore Expeditions
As a student of Moscow State University of Culture and Arts I went to many different parts of Russia such as Tver, Smolensk and Belgorod to collect Russian folklore. Songs, melodies, lyrics and tunes change from village to village, even those as close as couple of miles apart. In folklore expeditions I have recorded over 100 hours of Russian folk songs, tunes, and lyrics. Many of those songs are used in the program of ensemble "Barynya".
Before graduation Misha (Mikhail Smirnov) was a soloist/choirmaster at vocal semi-professional group "Moskovia" (Moscow, Russia), director Valery Kuzmich Nesterov.
Formal education - Moscow State
Academy of Culture and Arts. Master's Degree in Russian folk chorus conducting.
Graduation Day. Natasha Demidova, Georgy Krayushkin, Vladimir Aban'shin, my teacher Irina Vasilievna Shpariychuk
Soviet Army 1984-1986
I was in the Service for two years, from November 1984 to November 1986.
It was the most difficult time of my life. I still remeber taste of food and smell of the KAZARMA where soldiers sleep.
Among other responsibilities I was director of soldier's ensemble "Impuls" and also playing tuba in Russian Army Military Orchestra.
Moscow Boys Chorus
The Moscow Boys Chorus was my school. It was located in the center of Moscow, next to Pushkin's Square.
The Moscow Boys Choir is considered to be one of Russia's most prestigious all-boy a cappella ensembles.
Our teacher and director Ninel Davydovna Kamburg, God bless her soul... has directed The Moscow Boys Choir since 1966. Choir members attend a special school in Moscow, where the boys traditionally begin rigorous training music as early as age 5. Those selected for the touring choir are chosen from all over Russia on the basis of both their talent at singing (choir members are hailed throughout the world for their "angelic" voices) and their discipline.
"There is a level of honor for these boys to be members of the choir, but there are no life-style advantages.
I was thrilled when as a child I was selected to study and perform with this premiere all-male ensemble.
In 2001 The moscow Boys Chorus were touring United States and I was lucky to attend their performance in New Jersey.
Below you can see two pictures with
Ninel Davydovna Kamburg and its current director Mr. Leonid Baklushin
With Ninel Davydovna Kamburg and Leonid Baklushin, 2001
New York based Russian folk dance and music ensemble "Barynya" DVD.
Russian folk dances, tunes, songs, virtuoso performances on balalaika, bass-balalaika, gusli and garmoshka.
Runtime: 1 hour
Cover Art: Anna Nagorskaya
Price: $30 US dollars (first class shipping included)
more info/Order
Mikhail Smirnov recordings, albums and MP3 downloads
Garmoshka Russian traditional music album in February 2007. Recording was made possible by singers-songwriters, Russian bard musicians Yuriy and Viktor Tenman from New York at their recording studio in Staten Island (Villa Nova Studio). Album contains traditional Russian tunes: "Kalinka", "Moscow nights", "Korobushka" and other Russian favorite songs performed on Russian garmoshka. If you ever attend a Russian party where people are singing, you will be able to recognize all the tunes from this album. The very first song that people will do together after a few drinks at the Russian wedding or Birthday party most likely will be "Moroz-Moroz" or "Gorochka"... read more, MP3 samples
Ethnic Russian Music Album recorded with ensemble Barynya in December 2006. Total time 45:46. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2006. Favorite Russian melodies and songs performed on garmoshka, balalaika, Gypsy and classic guitars and contrabass... more information, MP3 samples
Russian folk music, song and dance album. Runtime: 64 minutes. Ensemble Barynya live from Wisconsin. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2006. Songs: "The Peddlers", "You stood me up", "Angry mother (bila mene maty)", "Tongue Twister". Dances: "Hopak", "Sailor's Dance", "Barynya", "Kalinka". Balalaika solo: "The Moon is shining", "Chardash"... more info, MP3s, order
Russian Christmas Music Balalaika Album. Balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov (guitar). Runtime: 51 minutes. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2005. 25 Russian folk songs, dances, tunes, favorite Christmas and Holiday selections such as "Carol of Bells", "Deck The Halls", "Father Frost", "Jingle Bells", "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas", "Joy To The World", "Folk Carol from Smolensk", "Snowstorm", "Snegoorochka"... more information, MP3 samples
Balalaika music album "Barynya Russian folk songs" recorded with balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski. Runtime: 35m 09s, Cover Art: Yury Tarler. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2003. There are Russian folk tunes, dances and songs including "Evening bells", "Kalinka", "Katyusha", "Moscow Nights" and "Dark Eyes"... MP3 samples, order
"Beyond The Don River" Russian folksongs compact disk with singer Natalia Demidova (Smirnov) as Russian folk duo Misha and Natasha from Russia. Album released by RUSA Records, Philadelphia, PA. 1995. . Cover Art Vladimir Nekrasov. There are Russian folk lymericks, Cossacks ballads and marching songs, popular tunes and chastushki with accompaniment of garmoshka, guitar and balalaika... more info/Order
Question:
- What do you get when you play Russian folk music backwards?
Answer:
- Russian Folk Music!
OLD PHOTOS
My grandfather who was killed during WWII Mikhail Egorovich Smirnov, my father Viktor Mikhailovich Smirnov (died in 1998),
me in Russian village of Zelentsevo, Valdai, Russia, my mother Nina Vasilievna Smirnova with my sister Svetlana and me in 1972.
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United Nations Association event in Lighthouse International over on EAST 58th street in New York City. Barynya performes with two dancers, two musicians and singer... read recommendation letter
Barynya musicians are playing at the New York's landmark The Waldorf's Astoria Hotel at the Benefit Concert "Petroushka Ball" for The Annual Fundraiser of the Russian Children’s Welfare Society... more pictures
Barynya performance at the World Champions exhibition and skating event in Locust Valley, New York.
On the picture ensemble Barynya musicians with the gold medalists of the 2004 World Figure Skating Championships in Ice Dancing Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov. From left to right: Tatiana Navka, Mikhail Smirnov, Roman Kostomarov and Alex Siniavski
Popular Russian song "Katyusha"
Popular Russian folk song and dance "Kalinka"
2 min 20 sec Russian Gypsy folk song and dance "Those were the days" video
The Moscow Boys Chorus was my school. It was located in the center of Moscow, next to Pushkin's Square.
The Moscow Boys Choir is considered to be one of Russia's most prestigious all-boy a cappella ensembles.
Garmoshka Russian traditional music album
Ethnic Russian Music Album
Russian Christmas Music Balalaika Album
Sergey Gusarov" Russian folk songs and balalaika music album
Balalaika music album "Barynya Russian folk songs"
"Beyond The Don River" Russian folksongs
