Search - Nikolai Pavlovich Budashkin, Russian Traditional, Pavel Kulikov :: Balalaika Favorites (3-Channel and Stereo Hybrid SACD)

Truly Fine Russian Folk-Style Instrumental Music!

James Yelvington | USA | 10/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This review is based upon the regular CD version, not this SACD disk. I include it here because most of it should be relevant to the newer high-tech version.



The reviewer who complained about disappointed expectations of hearing mostly balalaika music seems justified. The album title is misleading in that the balalaikas, of which there are many playing nearly all the time, are not always prominent nor clearly distinguishable by ear from the domras. Both the domras and balalaikas have three strings and are played mainly in a tremolo fashion, that is, with notes being struck repeatedly by a finger or pick fanning back and forth rapidly. The differences are (1) the balalaika is usually finger-picked while the domra uses a pick or plectrum, (2) the balalaika usually is strung with one metal and two gut/nylon strings while the domra uses all metal strings, and (3) the balalaika belly is triangle-shaped while the domra's is circular. Despite the differences it often isn't easy to tell them apart by sound. In general, because of the finger-picking and nylon strings, the balalaika has a somewhat softer sound with less brightness than the domra. For this reason in Russian folk groups the domra is more often used to play the melody, leaving the balalaikas to play the accompanying harmonies.



If you want to hear balalaikas without domras confusing things you might want to try the CD "Balalaika: Russia's Most Beautiful Tunes" (Musical Heritage Society 514746X ) played by the Stars of St. Petersburg, which includes no domras, but does have several other instruments including a guitar. Another bet would be to focus on solo balalaika music such as that found on the CD "L'Art de la Balalaïka Classique" (Arion ARN 68118), but be warned that this disk, which features balalaika with piano accompaniment, focusses more on classical-style than folk music. Another possibility is to get the video DVD "Red Star: Red Army Chorus and Dance Ensemble" (Kultur D4051) which includes two balalaika solos, along with lots of great choral and solo Russian singing, a fine band, and spectacular Russian dancing. If you specially want "Lara's Theme" from Dr. Zhivago, you can find it on the 2-CD album "Don Cossack Choir" (Brilliant 93094), where it is well sung in Russian by Michael Minsky accompanied by "Balalaika Orkestra, Fedor Astachow."



Regarding the present CD, the name of the performing group is honest enough: the Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra. As such it features several types of Russian folk instruments, along with a few which are more modern and non-folk in character. The program notes briefly describe four of the folk instruments: the domra, balalaika, shepherd's horn (rojok), and goosli. (The rojok is a kind of carved wooden trumpet and the goosli is a multi-stringed instrument something like a zither or autoharp.)



The music on this 35-mm film Living Presence disk is, in itself, truly excellent! If you like Russian folk-style instrumental music, you are just about guaranteed to love what's here: a varied selection of fairly familiar composed and traditional pieces presented with great artistry and authentic Russian spirit



Though recorded in early 1960's stereo (non-digital) sound, this disk will hold its own musically against newer releases, I believe. I wouldn't trade it for anything, and don't hesitate to recommend it heartily!

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