Choirs and ensembles of folk songs. Russian folk choirs

On November 29, 2016, a concert-presentation of the teacher’s project will take place at the Aviator State House of Culture, as part of the Children’s Music Philharmonic of the Airport Children’s Music School Biserova Anastasia Viktorovna "FOLK CHOIR OF RUSSIA".

Choral groups of the choral and instrumental departments took part in the project (teachers - Biserova A.V., Maltseva L.Yu., Abanshina S.M., accompanists - Biserov S.I., Rtishchev P.A., Sharkova I.N. , Avdeeva Yu.A.)

I represented the Northern Russian Folk Choir.

The idea of this event was as follows.

Students from the Airport Children's Music School made a report on one or another state folk choir. Then the choir, ensemble or soloists of the music school introduced the audience to the repertoire of this choir or performed a song from the region to which the folk choir belongs. The speaker was encouraged to present a typical (possibly stylized) folk costume of a given region of Russia.

In total, students of the music school prepared 12 presentations on state folk choirs:

Ensemble of Don Cossacks. them. Kvasova,
Volga Folk Choir named after P.M. Miloslavova
Voronezh Folk Choir named after K.I. Massalitinova
Kuban Cossack Choir
Omsk Folk Choir
Orenburg Folk Choir
Ryazan Folk Choir named after E.G. Popova
Northern Folk Choir
Siberian folk choir Ural folk choir
Choir named after M.E. Pyatnitsky
State vocal and choreographic ensemble "Rus" named after Mikhail Firsov

State Penza Folk Choir

********

Here is the text of my report-presentation about the Northern Russian Folk Choir.

The date of creation of the State Academic Northern Russian Folk Choir is considered to be March 8, 1926.

The ensemble was originally formed from an amateur artistic circle, which was organized in 1919 by Antonina Yakovlevna Kolotilova, a rural teacher from Veliky Ustyug. At first it was an amateur ensemble, then an amateur choir.

In 1931, Antonina Yakovlevna moved to Arkhangelsk, which became the new home of the Northern Choir.

In 1936, the Northern Choir took part in the All-Union Radio Festival and became its laureate.

It is worth noting that throughout this entire time, since 1919, the members of the ensemble were ordinary people, often not knowing the notes, who worked a shift at their main job and gathered together in the evening to sing a folk song. AND I. Kolotilova, having an education and experience in teaching, only gave the raw folklore material an academic form, elevating the folk song, putting it into a stage image.

After all, performing in an ensemble is also difficult because in a group, in addition to your personal vocal abilities, you need to be able to listen and hear others, support other voices, give in, and advance with your voice where necessary. Otherwise, it will turn out like in I.A. Krylov’s fable “Swan, Crayfish and Pike.” Each vocalist pulls the blanket over himself, and there is no result in the form of a beautiful song composition. Group performance is always more difficult than solo performance, but it is also more interesting.

What A.Ya. Kolotilova managed to find such people and put together a team, which testifies to how intertwined the song was with the life of an ordinary person some 100 years ago.

February 2, 1940 - the group is given professional status, which allows the immediate creation of dance and orchestral groups.

The Northern Choir has become a prominent representative of one of the main stylistic geographical zones in Russian song folklore - Northern Russian. Geographically, it is distributed in the territories of modern Novgorod, Arkhangelsk, Leningrad and Vologda regions.

In the North, all genre varieties of ritual and everyday song lyrics still exist: wedding corils, great songs, dance songs, buffoon songs, carols, “grapes” and Maslenitsa songs. The most iconic and characteristic of the north is the genre of round dance songs.

The northern dialect gives originality to folk songs. It is generally accepted that “northern speaking” means surrounding.

A distinctive feature of northern choral performance is a soft, non-shouting sound. This is due to the fact that in the North, due to climatic conditions, women sang a lot indoors. Hence, many researchers call northern singing this way - hut.

Folk songs performed by the Northern Choir cannot be confused with anything else. Everyone can recognize their costumes. The choir embodies in its images the folklore traditions of a typical northern costume complex. With his sundresses, soul warmers, rich headdresses. Throughout its history, the Northern Choir very carefully collected and conveyed to the viewer the features of northern songs.

The Great Patriotic War found the choir in Veliky Ustyug. Trips to military units and hospitals of the Volkhov, Leningrad and Karelian fronts began. During this time, the artists gave 1,100 concerts in military field conditions.

The entire post-war period, until 1961, was a period of resounding success for the Northern Choir. AND I. Kolotilova and the Northern Choir team received many state awards and titles during this time.

From 1961 to 2008, Nina Konstantinovna Meshko (People's Artist of the USSR, laureate of the Glinka State Prize of the RSFSR, professor of the department of choral and solo folk singing of the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music) became the artistic director of the Northern Choir.

In December 2008, Svetlana Konopyanovna Ignatieva became the artistic director of the Northern Choir. , who holds this position to this day.

The entire creative career of the Northern Choir and its leaders, especially A.Ya. Kolotilova is a vivid example of how an ordinary person, thanks to his work, is able to leave behind an imperishable mark for future generations. This year the Northern Choir turned 90 years old. The person is no longer alive, the first members of the ensemble are no longer alive, but the collective works, brings the folk song to the people. Perhaps this is true immortality! When the result of your work, even after you are gone, continues to benefit people.

Northern costume.

My mother and I have been sewing a costume representing the Russian north since August. The basis for the costume that my mother and I invented, compiled and sewed were samples of costume complexes from the collections of the State Historical Museum, the Russian Ethnographic Museum, the State Russian Museum, and Sergei Glebushkin.

What songs are front-line?

The past was created by war.

The feelings in them are vibrant and alive

For everyone, for us! Living - on Earth.

POSITION

On holding the Thirteenth All-Russian

Competition - festival

“Songs of the War Years” dedicated to the 72nd anniversary of the Victory

In the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945

Among the memorable dates celebrated by the people of our multinational Motherland, Victory Day occupies a special place. The Great Patriotic War was a truly national struggle, where people of different nationalities and religions fought shoulder to shoulder with the enemy and worked selflessly on the home front. It was this unity that became the main factor in victory in the fight against fascism. The achievements of our peoples in the Great Patriotic War are one of the brightest and unforgettable pages of Russian history.

During the Great Patriotic War and after its end, many songs were written; their authors were famous composers who went to fight as young soldiers. It was their songs that became real symbols of the war, because they were written at the call of the heart.

Songs of the war years... So many of them, beautiful and unforgettable. And each has its own story, its own destiny. Together with the Fatherland, with all the Soviet people, the song entered the soldiers' formation. From the first days of the war, the song accompanied soldiers along dusty roads until the Victory.

The Thirteenth All-Russian competition will take place - the festival “Songs of the War Years”, dedicated to the 72nd anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

Organizers of the Competition-festival:

Department of Culture and Historical and Cultural Heritage

Administration of the city of Vologda;

MAUK" Park of Culture and Recreation "Veterans of Labor";

The competition-festival is organized with the support of:

Public Chamber of the Vologda Region;

Department of Education of the Vologda Region;

Education Department of the Vologda City Administration;

All-Russian public organization "Officers of Russia"

Regional Scientific and Methodological Center of Culture of the Vologda Region;

Vologda local city branch of the All-Russian political

United Russia party;

Vologda city public organization

"Union of Defenders of the Fatherland";

MUK "City Palace of Culture" in Vologda;

BUK "Cultural and leisure center "Zabota";

Goals and objectives of the Competition-festival:

The goal is to promote the best examples of military-patriotic songs

To promote the formation in young people of a high patriotic consciousness, loyalty to their Fatherland, respect for the heroic history and military glory of the Fatherland;

Improving the performing skills of participants;

Creation of a high artistic repertoire of civil-patriotic, historical themes, increasing interest in the musical heritage of military themes;

Identification of new talents, support and stimulation of creative activity of young people;

Active participation of performers and creative groups in events dedicated to the celebration of the 72nd anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Conditions and Procedure for the Competition - Festival:

The competition-festival is dedicated to the celebration of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

Vocalists - soloists and creative vocal, choreographic, instrumental, artistic groups of additional education institutions (music and art schools, art schools, Children's Art Centers) cultural institutions (Palaces of Culture, Houses of Culture, libraries), children's and youth creative studios, students and teachers of professional educational organizations, students of secondary schools, pupils of preschool educational institutions, workers of industrial enterprises and institutions, creative teams of veteran organizations without age restrictions.

Venue of the Competition-Festival:

MUK "City Palace of Culture" of Vologda (Lenin St. 17)

BUK Cultural and Leisure Center "Zabota" (Maria Ulyanova St., 6)

The competition-festival is held in 3 stages:

nominations: vocals (choirs, ensembles), choreographic compositions

nomination: literary - musical compositions, instrumental creativity (folk instruments, ensembles, orchestras)

nomination vocals (solo, ensembles);

nomination: vocals (solo, ensembles)

Stage 2 – Gala concert and awarding of the winners of the competition – festival “Songs of the War Years”

Venue: concert hall of the Municipal Cultural Center "City Palace of Culture" Vologda

May 2017

Stage 3 – participation of the winners of the Competition-festival in ceremonial events dedicated to the 72nd anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945

Venue: Victory Park, Revolution Square, stage venues in Vologda

Competition-festival nominations:

1.Vocal (folk, academic, pop)

Ensemble (divided into duet, trio, quartet, etc.)

2. Musical and literary compositions

3. Choreographic compositions

Evaluation criteria for nominations:

Vocals - academic, pop, folk (solo, ensembles, choirs)

(2 works, total duration of 2 numbers no more than 8 minutes)

The embodiment of military-patriotic themes

Stage culture

Complexity of the repertoire

Performing Arts

2. Musical and literary compositions:

(one song lasting no more than 10 minutes)

- completeness and expressiveness of the disclosure of military-patriotic themes

Artistry, disclosure of artistic images, performance level

Diction, compositional structure

Stage performance (costume, props, performance culture)

Musicality, clarity of intonation and sound quality

Difficulty of execution and age appropriateness

Semantic and genre-compositional completeness

3. Instrumental creativity (folk musical instruments orchestras, ensembles, duets, solos)

(1-2 works, total duration of 2 numbers no more than 8 minutes)

Musicality, artistic interpretation of a piece of music

Purity of intonation and sound quality

Complexity of the repertoire

Correspondence of the repertoire to performing capabilities

The embodiment of military-patriotic themes

4. Choreographic compositions:

(1-2 songs, total duration no more than 10 minutes)

The expressiveness of the disclosure of military-patriotic themes,

Artistry, revealing the artistic image

Musicality, performance level

Compositional structure of the number

Stage performance (costume, props, performance culture, plastic arts)

9. Mixed formulations

Creative teams and individual performers take part in the competition; the age of participants is not limited.

Technical requirements:

It is obligatory to indicate the timing of the phonogram or the duration of the work;

The carriers of phonograms are flash cards, mini disks and CDs with high sound quality;

Each sound recording must be on a medium indicating the title of the work, the author of the music, the author of the text, the name of the ensemble or the name of the performer, as well as the duration of the sound of this work;

The phonogram must be set to the beginning of the recording;

For vocal groups exceeding 4 people, it is allowed to use their own radio microphones or headsets;

It is prohibited for vocalists to perform with a “plus” phonogram;

It is prohibited to use phonograms in which the main part of the soloist is duplicated in the backing vocal parts. It is allowed to have backing vocals in the form of harmonic support, pre-recorded with the “Minus One” phonogram.

Krasnoznamenny named after A.V. Aleksandrova song and dance ensemble of the Soviet Army under the direction of B.A. Aleksandrov perform revolutionary songs “Orelik”, “Listen”, “Black Raven”, songs “Along the Narrow Bridge” by K. Akimov, “Holy Leninist Banner” "A.V. Aleksandrova, "Song of the pilots" by B.A. Aleksandrova, "At a camping halt" by L.O. Bakalova, "Goodbye, city and hut", "Song about Shchors", "Under our banner", " Soldier's service", "The sun disappeared behind the mountain", "High-speed tanks" by M.I. Blanter, "The Black Sea Sun is burning" by A.P. Dolukhanyan, "Naval Guard" by Yu.S. Milyutin, "Wait for the soldier", "The waves will scatter" "B.A. Mokrousova, "Russia", "Smuglyanka" by A.G. Novikov, "Near the Garden" by G.N. Nosov, "Song of Troubled Youth" by A.N. Pakhmutova, "The Wave is Noisy, the String is Ringing "Yu.M. Slonova, "On the Road", "On a Sunny Meadow" by V.P. Solovyov-Sedoy, "At the Native Frontier" by V.K. Sorokin, "Guards Polka" by B.M. Terentyev, "Lenin is always with you”, “We are for peace”, “My beloved homeland”, “I was leaving for the army” by S.S. Tulikov, “There is a good town in the north” by T.N. Khrennikov.
The VR Song Ensemble under the direction of A.S. Andrusenko performs the songs “Like at Dawn” by N.P. Budashkin, “Budyonny’s Horse” by A.A. Davidenko, “My Komsomol Youth” by A.P. Dolukhanyan, “Song of Past Campaigns” by Z .L. Kompaneitsa, “We Went Hiking” by K.Ya. Listov, “Song about Voroshilov” by F. Sabo, “Song about Lazo” by F. Sadovoy, “Rapid Spaces” by A.G. Flyarkovsky, “Waltz of Friendship” by A. I. Khachaturyan, “Song of the Don Cossacks” by N.K. Chemberdzhi.
The State Russian Folk Choir named after M.E. Pyatnitsky under the direction of P.M. Kazmin performs the songs “Song of Our Youth” by P.S. Akulenko, “Our Strength is in the Just Cause,” “Glory to the Soviet Power,” “A Border Guard Came from Service” V.G. Zakharova, “Don’t lag behind your friends” by Z.L. Kompaneets, “Let’s be friends”, “Raise the Banner of Labor”, “The party is faithful to the people” by A.G. Novikov, “Soviet Russia” by S.S. Tulikov.
The State Russian Folk Choir of the Northern Song under the direction of A.Ya. Kolotilova performs the songs “Belomorets” by V.A. Laptev, “Clear Month” by A.G. Novikov.
The VR Russian Song Choir, directed by N.V. Kutuzov, performs the songs “Why We Love Our Motherland” by P.S. Akulenko, “Moscow Festival” by G.N. Grankin, “Timoshka’s Curls Are Curly” by Yu.M. Slonov.
The State Siberian Russian Folk Choir under the direction of V.S. Levashov performs V.S. Levashov’s songs “I was sitting under the window”, “The sea spilled without edge”, “Wide steppes”.
The Voronezh Russian folk choir under the direction of K.I. Massalitinov performs K.I. Massalitinov’s songs “They say that I’m good”, “The nightingale has flown away”.
The State Volga Folk Choir under the direction of P.M. Miloslavov performs G.F. Ponomarenko’s songs “Saratov Choruses” and “We are near Kuibyshev”.
The ensemble "Beryozka" under the direction of N.S. Nadezhdina performs I.O. Dunaevsky's song "Oh, the viburnum is blooming."
The Chuvash State Song and Dance Ensemble under the direction of F.M. Lukin performs the songs “Favorite Party” by F.M. Lukin, “Glory to the Native Party” by G.Ya. Khirby.
The VR Big Choir under the direction of K.B. Ptitsa performs the songs “Dawn of Ages” by A.A. Babaev, “Resort Song”, “Fly Doves” by I.O. Dunaevsky, “We Sing” by S.A. Zaslavsky, “Our Soviet power" by D.B. Kabalevsky, "Country of October" by F.I. Maslov, "Glory to our native state" by K.V. Molchanov, "March of the Communists" by A.G. Novikov, "We are communists", "This is the youth coming "S.S. Tulikova, "Glory to the great Soviet Union" by A.N. Kholminov, "The sun shines on us" by R.K. Shchedrin.
The State Academic Russian Choir of the USSR under the direction of A.V. Sveshnikov performs revolutionary songs “You have fallen as a victim”, “We are blacksmiths”, A.G. Schnittke’s song “Wherever you go or go”.
The Ural Russian folk choir under the direction of L. L. Christiansen performs G. I. Vekshin’s song “Groom”.
The VR Song Ensemble, directed by V.V. Tselikovsky, performs the songs “We are going, friends” by V.I. Muradeli, “Soviet Country Komsomol” by S.S. Prokofiev.
The children's choir of the Moscow City House of Pioneers and the orchestra conducted by V.S. Loktev performs the songs “Fly the Wind” by V.S. Loktev, “Pioneer” by A.I. Ostrovsky.
The Ryazan Russian Folk Song Choir under the direction of E.G. Popov performs E.G. Popov’s songs “Birch”, “In the Meadow, on the Shore”, “Russian Blizzard”.
The State Belarusian Folk Choir under the direction of G.I. Tsitovich performs A.G. Flyarkovsky’s songs “Autumn Lines”, “After the Rain”.
The State Academic Choir of the BSSR under the direction of G.R. Shirma performs G.K. Pukst’s song “My Favorite Land.”
The State Ukrainian Folk Choir under the direction of G. G. Verevka performs G. G. Verevka’s song “Shakhterochka”.
The Soviet Song Ensemble of the Latvian Radio, directed by T. Kalnins, performs the songs “Zhiguli” by B.A. Mokrousov, “Long live the Moscow Festival” by A.I. Ostrovsky, “Love and Friendship” by S.S. Tulikov.
The State Choir of the Lithuanian SSR, under the direction of K. Kavyackas, performs K. Kavyackas’ songs “The Earth Wept in the Evening Twilight”, “The Fisherman’s Song”.
The vocal and instrumental ensemble "Werner" (GDR) performs the songs "Only Eleven Years" by H. Bath, "Kiss Me" by B. Davy, "Song of Love" by I. Riadon, "Tell" by S. Fein, "About the First Meeting" .Eichenberg.
Vocal quartet “Cheyanda” (Poland) performs the songs “Your loving eyes” by A. Belostotsky, “I am in love with my Warsaw” by E. Wieler, “Song about the Vistula” by V. Gan, “Under the sky of Paris” by Z. Zhiro, “Your heart is with me” by N. Zemensky, “The Lighthouse” by T. Kucher, “The Game of Blind Man’s Bluff” by A. Mushinsky, “Captain”, “Don’t teach me to dance” by V. Shpilman.

The textbook covers the main issues of working with a Russian folk choir. This edition has been revised and expanded. Intended for teachers and students of departments for training leaders of folk choirs of music universities.

PREFACE
With the development of Soviet choral art, interest in national traditions, including folk choirs, is increasingly growing. With their versatile concert and creative activities, folk choirs have won a strong place in Soviet performance, as they represent an independent type of choral art that has the deepest traditions. Based on the generalization of the creative practice of these groups, it became possible to create a methodology for working with Russian folk choirs, and the need arose for professional training of specialists in this field of leadership of folk choirs.
In 1966 (for the first time in Russia!), a department for training directors of Russian folk choirs was opened at the Department of Choral Conducting of the Gnesny State Musical and Pedagogical Institute. In parallel, such a department began to function in the Saratov, and later in the Ural Conservatories. After this, a sharp turn occurred in the system of professional music education: a network of folk choral departments emerged and continues to grow in cultural institutes, music and cultural-educational schools. Folklore classrooms of Russian music and Russian folk song clubs are being created at educational institutions. All this should bridge the gap that has existed for a long time between professional training and the practice of folk music, and prepare choral conductors of a wider profile who meet the requirements of life.

The education of folk singers in choirs is carried out in a practical way, therefore the methods of educational and artistic work in them are diverse. Nevertheless, the basic methodological principles are the same and can be studied in a special course. It should be taken into account that folk performance of our days continues to develop: the features of the style of the modern Russian folk choir, its vocal and choral organization and methodological principles are still being researched and systematized. This will create a certain difficulty when learning how to work with a choir.
The purpose of this course is to give future choral conductors knowledge in the field of leading a Russian folk song choir, to instill the necessary ability to navigate the stylistic features of this choir for applying them in their performing activities, as well as an interest in various forms of work in a folk choir. This course consists of lectures, seminars and prepares students to practice working with a folk choir.

The textbook covers the main issues of the lecture course: organization of the choir and selection of performers, repertoire and singing education, improvisation, work on the content and performance of songs and others.
Some of the sections are not strictly methodological, for example: stylistic features of the Russian folk choir, vocal-choral structure, score. Nevertheless, consideration of them is necessary to understand the theoretical foundations of the folk choir, since we do not yet have a scientific development of dance and choreography in the field of folk singing. Only a few works devoted to these issues are known.
In the section “Folk Choir Scores,” only some regularities of folk choral scores are analyzed and issues of arrangement are almost not addressed, since the methods of processing and arrangement for folk choir compositions require special research.

The experience of the folk choral departments of music universities led the author to the need to add a chapter on professional folk choirs to the second edition of the textbook. Some of them are known only from newspaper and magazine reviews of individual concerts. We have collected and systematized material from the last years of creative activity of all twelve choirs. The sheet music appendix provides the characteristic scores of these choirs. This edition includes another new chapter - “Instrumental accompaniment in a folk choir”, also necessary for future leaders of groups.
The list of references given at the end of the textbook includes recommendations for individual chapters.

Preface
1. From the history of the formation of the Russian folk choir genre.
2. Genre features and performing forms of the modern Russian folk choir
3. Repertoire.
4. Vocal-choral structure
5. Score of the Russian folk choir
6. Organization of a folk choir and selection of performers
7. Singing education
8. Working on songs with movement elements
9. Issues of improvisation Collective creativity
10. Work on the content and performance of songs
11. Organization of execution
12 Instrumental accompaniment in a folk choir
13. Musical and educational work in the folk choir.
14. Features of the activities of the leader of a folk choir.
15. Professional Russian folk choirs
Literature

Sheet music application:

OH, YES YOU, NIGHTS Folk song of the Moscow region.
ON THE HILL, ON THE SHORE. Words and melody by A. OLENICHEVA. Arranged by V. ZAKHAROV
WHITE SNOW. Words and tune by A. OLENICHEVOI. Arranged by A. KOLOSOV
PODMOSKOVNAYA LYRICAL. Words by V. BOKOV. Music by N. POLIKARPOV
Oh, YOU MOUNTAINS. Ural folk song. Chant of the Ural Choir
IT'S NOT A WHITE DAWN. Penza folk song. Arranged by N. KUTUZOV
VOROBYEVSKY MOUNTAINS. Russian folk song
MOMMY SCORES. Folk song of the Krasnoyarsk region
DID THE EAGLE AND SWAN BATH? Folk song of the Moscow region.
I CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH MYSELF. Words and music by N. POLIKARPOV
NOISE, NOISE, DOUBRAVASHKA. Music by A. ABRAMSKY. Words by N. GERASIMOVA
FROM THE SIBERIAN SPACIOUS FIELDS. Melody and words of the Krutinsky choir. Chant of the Omsk Choir
IN THE HALUT FIELD. Folk choir chant
YOU, SIBERIA, ARE YOUR NATIVE SIDE. Chant and words by A. OLENICHEVA
BAND. Folk song of the Voronezh region.
AM I ALSO YOUNG. Words by N. GERASIMOVA. Music by A. ABRAMSKY
THERE IS A SEA IN THE FAR EAST. Folk song of the Irtysh Cossacks. Recording and processing by E. Konkov
IT WAS GOOD, BROTHERS, IN THE SQUAD. Folk song of the Krasnodar region
FLOWERS, MY FLOWERS. Folk song of the Rostov region
Scores of the State Russian Folk Choirs
VETERANS SITTING. Music by A. PAKHMUTOVA. Words by M. LVOV Arranged by V. Levashov. From the repertoire of the choir named after. Pyatnitsky
BEHIND DVINA, BEHIND THE NORTH. Words by V. BOKOV and POLIKARPOV. From the repertoire of the Northern Folk Choir
OH YOU, FROZES Folk song of the Rostov region. From the repertoire of the Don Cossacks Ensemble
EH, WHAT ABOUT YOU, POLYA. Arranged by K. MASSALITINOV. From the repertoire of the Voronezh Folk Choir
ON THE MOUNTAIN, ON GORONKE. Folk song. Processing by V. GORYACHYKH. From the repertoire of the Ural Folk Choir
WHAT IS BURNING IS BURNING. Arranged by V. LEVASHOV From the repertoire of the Siberian Folk Choir
I DIDN’T KNOW, I DIDN’T KNOW. Arranged by N. KUTUZOV From the repertoire of the Radio Russian Song Choir
WELL, MY NIGHT. From the repertoire of the Ryazan Folk Choir Arranged by E. POPOV
SIBERIAN SUFFERINGS. Processed by E. KALUGINA. From the repertoire of the Omsk Folk Choir
OH, STAFF, THE REEDS FALLED. Arranged by M. CHUMAKOV. From the repertoire of the Volga Folk Choir
YOU ARE WIDE, STEPPE. Russian folk song. Arranged by A. KOLOSOV From the repertoire of the Orenburg Folk Choir
OH, POLY HAS THREE TRACKS. Song of the Black Sea Cossacks. Arranged by Y. ZATSARNY From the repertoire of the Kuban Cossack Folk Choir

From floor-length arafans, kokoshniks and song art. Russian folk choirs with the title “academic” - as recognition of the highest level of stage performance. Read more about the path of the “populists” to the big stage - Natalya Letnikova.

Kuban Cossack Choir

200 years of history. The songs of the Cossacks are either a horse march or a walking sortie to “Marusya, one, two, three...” with a valiant whistle. 1811 is the year the first choral group was created in Russia. A living historical monument that has carried Kuban history and the singing traditions of the Cossack army through the centuries. At the origins were the spiritual educator of Kuban, Archpriest Kirill Rossinsky and regent Grigory Grechinsky. Since the middle of the 19th century, the group not only participated in divine services, but also gave secular concerts in the spirit of reckless Cossack freemen and, according to Yesenin, “merry melancholy.”

Choir named after Mitrofan Pyatnitsky

A team that has proudly called itself “peasant” for a century now. And even though professional artists perform on stage today, and not ordinary vociferous Great Russian peasants from Ryazan, Voronezh and other provinces, the choir presents folk songs in amazing harmony and beauty. Every performance causes admiration, just like a hundred years ago. The first concert of the peasant choir took place in the hall of the Noble Assembly. The audience, including Rachmaninov, Chaliapin, Bunin, left the performance shocked.

Northern Folk Choir

A simple rural teacher Antonina Kolotilova lived in Veliky Ustyug. She gathered folk song lovers for handicrafts. On a February evening we sewed linen for an orphanage: “The even, soft light falling from the lightning lamp created a special coziness. And outside the window the February bad weather was raging, the wind whistled in the chimney, rattled the boards on the roof, threw snow flakes at the window. This discrepancy between the warmth of a cozy room and the howling of a snow blizzard made my soul a little sad. And suddenly a song began to sound, sad, drawn-out...” This is how the northern chant sounds - 90 years. Already from the stage.

Ryazan Folk Choir named after Evgeniy Popov

Yesenin's songs. In the homeland of the main singer of the Russian land, his poems are sung. Melodic, piercing, exciting. Where the white birch is either a tree or a girl frozen on the high bank of the Oka. And the poplar is certainly “silver and bright.” The choir was created on the basis of the rural folk ensemble of the village of Bolshaya Zhuravinka, which has been performing since 1932. The Ryazan choir was lucky. The leader of the group, Evgeny Popov, himself wrote music for the poems of his fellow countryman, who had an amazing sense of beauty. They sing these songs as if they are talking about their lives. Warm and gentle.

Siberian folk choir

Choir, ballet, orchestra, children's studio. The Siberian choir is multifaceted and in tune with the frosty wind. The concert program “Yamshchitsky Tale” is based on musical, song and choreographic material from the Siberian region, like many of the group’s stage sketches. The creativity of Siberians has been seen in 50 countries around the world - from Germany and Belgium to Mongolia and Korea. What they live about is what they sing about. First in Siberia, and then throughout the country. What happened with Nikolai Kudrin’s song “Bread is the Head of Everything,” which was first performed by the Siberian Choir.

Voronezh Russian Folk Choir named after Konstantin Massalinov

Songs in the front line in those difficult days when, it would seem, there is no time for creativity at all. The Voronezh choir appeared in the workers' village of Anna at the height of the Great Patriotic War - in 1943. The first to hear the songs of the new band were in military units. The first big concert - with tears in our eyes - took place in Voronezh, liberated from the Germans. The repertoire includes lyrical songs and ditties that are known and loved in Russia. Including thanks to the most famous soloist of the Voronezh choir - Maria Mordasova.

Volga Folk Choir named after Pyotr Miloslavov

“A steppe wind walks across the stage of the Chatelet Theater and brings us the aroma of original songs and dances,”- wrote the French newspaper L’Umanite in 1958. Samara town introduced the Volga region's song heritage to the French. The performer is the Volga Folk Choir, created by the decision of the Government of the RSFSR in 1952 by Pyotr Miloslavov. A leisurely and soulful life along the banks of the great Volga and on stage. Ekaterina Shavrina began her creative career in the team. The song “Snow White Cherry” was performed for the first time by the Volga Choir.

Omsk Folk Choir

Bear with a balalaika. The emblem of the famous team is well known both in Russia and abroad. “Love and pride of the Siberian land,” as critics dubbed the group on one of their foreign trips. “The Omsk Folk Choir cannot only be called a restorer and custodian of old folk songs. He himself is the living embodiment of folk art of our days,”- wrote the British The Daily Telegraph. The repertoire is based on Siberian songs recorded by the founder of the group, Elena Kalugina, half a century ago and bright pictures from life. For example, the suite “Winter Siberian Fun”.

Ural Folk Choir

Performances at the fronts and in hospitals. The Urals not only provided the country with metal, but also raised morale with whirlwind dances and round dances, the richest folklore material of the Ural land. The Sverdlovsk Philharmonic brought together amateur groups from the surrounding villages of Izmodenovo, Pokrovskoye, Katarach, and Laya. “Our genre is alive”, - they say in the team today. And preserving this life is considered the main task. Like the famous Ural “Seven”. “Drobushki” and “barabushki” have been on stage for 70 years. Not a dance, but a dance. Eager and daring.

Orenburg Folk Choir

Down scarf as part of a stage costume. Fluffy lace intertwined with folk songs and in a round dance - as part of the life of the Orenburg Cossacks. The team was created in 1958 to preserve the unique culture and rituals that exist “on the edge of vast Rus', along the banks of the Urals.” Every performance is like a performance. They perform not only the songs that the people composed. Even the dances have a literary basis. “When the Cossacks Cry” is a choreographic composition based on a story by Mikhail Sholokhov from the life of village residents. However, every song or dance has its own story.