Russian Folk Music: A Brief History

Russian Folk Music has a long and varied history, influenced by the cultures that have inhabited the Russian land. In this blog post, we’ll give a brief overview of Russian Folk Music, from its origins to the present day.

Origins of Russian Folk Music

Russian folk music has its roots in the music of the Eastern Slavic people. It is believed that the first Russian folk songs were created by the people who lived in the ninth and tenth centuries. The music was passed down from generation to generation and eventually became an important part of Russian culture.

10th-12th centuries: The first Russian folk songs

Russian folk music dates back to the 10th century, when the first Russian state, Kievan Rus’, was established. Between the 10th and 12th centuries, a new musical culture began to develop in the Russian lands, with the first Russian folk songs emerging during this time. The early Russian folk songs were characterized by their simple, repetitive melodies and texts. These songs were typically about love, nature, and God, and were often used as work songs or wedding songs.

During the 13th century, Russia was invaded by the Mongols, who ruled over the country for nearly two centuries. During this time, Russian folk music was greatly influenced by Mongolian music. After the Mongols left Russia in the 15th century, a new period of Russian history began, known as the Time of Troubles. This was a time of great upheaval and turmoil for Russia, and folk music reflect this in its dark and often tragic melodies.

In the 17th century, Russia’s first professional MUSICIANS appeared, known as skomorokhs. These were travelling performers who played a mix of popular tunes and their own improvisations on a variety of instruments. The skomorokhs were an important influence on Russian Folk music, helping to disseminate new styles and genres throughout the country.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Russian Folk music underwent a major transformation thanks to the work of several collectors and composers. Among those who had a significant impact on Russian Folk music were Mikhail Glinka, Alexander Alyabyev, Alexander Varlamov, Vasily Andreyevich Zolotaryov. These composers helped to bring Folk music into the mainstream by collecting folk songs and adapting them for Concert Halls. Many of theseadapted folk songs remain popular to this day.

13th-17th centuries: The rise of the khorovod

In the 13th century, the first Russian folk music ensembles were formed in Novgorod and Pskov. These bands were called khorovods, and they were typically made up of about 12 musicians. The musicians would sing and play various instruments, including the gusli (a type of harp), flute, and tambourine.

The khorovod was a popular form of entertainment in medieval Russia, and it is believed that the first written mention of the khorovod dates back to 1238. In the 16th century, a Russian military leader named Ivan Susanin became particularly famous for his khorovod performances. Susanin is said to have composed many of the songs that were sung by khorovods at this time.

During the 17th century, the khorovod began to decline in popularity. This was partially due to changes in fashion (khorovods were no longer considered fashionable entertainment) and partially due to cultural changes brought about by the rise of Westernization in Russia.

The 18th Century: The Golden Age of Russian Folk Music

The 18th century was a turning point in Russian history. It was a time of great change and upheaval, and this is reflected in the music of the time. Russian folk music underwent a renaissance in the 18th century, with new styles and forms emerging. This was the Golden Age of Russian folk music, and it laid the foundation for the folk music of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The first professional folk musicians

In the 18th century, Russian folk music began to be codified and collected by professional musicians working for the imperial court. These court musicians, known as skomorokhs, were often also folk musicians themselves, and they played an important role in preserving and performing traditional folk music.

The skomorokhs were eventually replaced by professional ensembles of peasant musicians, known as khorovods. These ensembles were hired by the royal family and other aristocrats to perform at private parties and public events. The khorovods were also responsible for teaching folk music to the urban population of Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

By the late 18th century, Russian folk music had become quite popular in urban areas. Professional folk musicians were in high demand, and many of them became well-known celebrities. Folk music began to be used in opera and other classical music genres, and it also became a popular form of entertainment at public parks and dancehalls.

The first folk music publications

The first folk music publications in Russia appeared in the 18th century. The most famous is The Collection of Russian Folk Songs compiled by Dimitry Bortnyansky and Makarij Ogurtsov, which was published in 1788. This collection contained songs from various regions of Russia and was very popular among the urban population.

The 19th Century: The Birth of the Russian Folk Orchestra

The roots of Russian folk music date back to the 12th century. By the 19th century, musical life in Russia was dominated by the imperial court and the aristocracy. Folk music was largely confined to the rural peasants, known as the k nyazh. In the late 18th century, folk music began to be collected and recorded by ethnographers and folklorists.

The first Russian folk music ensembles

The first Russian folk music ensembles were formed in the late 18th century, when aristocrats began to collect and perform songs from the peasantry. These early groups were known as khorovods, and they typically featured a small number of singers and instrumentalists. The khorovod tradition continued into the 19th century, when groups began to perform for audiences outside of the aristocracy.

In the early 19th century, Russia’s military campaign against Napoleon included the movement of large numbers of troops and civilians across Europe. This exposure to different cultures had a significant impact on Russian music, particularly folk music. Soldiers and civilians brought back songs from Germany, France, Italy, and other countries, which were then adopted by Russian musicians.

One of the most important figures in the development of Russian folk music was Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857). A composer of classical music, Glinka became interested in folk music after hearing a khorovod while on vacation in Ukraine. He went on to collect folk songs from all over Russia, and his efforts helped to create a national repertoire of Russian folk music.

Glinka also played an important role in the development of the Russian folk orchestra. In 1851, he conducted the first public performance of a work featuring a folk orchestra, entitled “A Night in May.” This groundbreaking work helped to popularize the idea of using traditional instruments to perform classical compositions. As a result of Glinka’s efforts, the Russian folk orchestra became a staple of 19th-century musical life.

The first Russian folk music festivals

The first Russian folk music festivals were organized in the early 19th century, and they quickly became hugely popular. Attendees would come from all over the country to enjoy performances by some of the best folk musicians in the land. These festivals were often quite elaborate affairs, with huge stages set up in public squares or parks, and thousands of people in attendance.

Folk music was an important part of Russian culture, and these festivals served as a way to celebrate that heritage. They also helped to spread the music to new audiences, as many of the performers came from different parts of the country and brought with them their own regional styles. These festivals played a central role in the development of Russian folk music, and they remain an important part of the musical tradition to this day.

The 20th Century: The Soviet Era

Russian folk music saw a resurgence in the 20th century, thanks in part to the Soviet Union’s promotion of it as part of their “national culture” campaign. Folk music was seen as a way to connect the various ethnic groups within the USSR, and it also served as a form of propaganda. While the music was certainly not allowed to be critical of the Soviet regime, it did provide a way for the people to express their own identity and culture.

The first state-sponsored folk music ensembles

The first state-sponsored folk music ensembles were created in the early 1920s, during the Soviet era. These ensembles were used as propaganda tools to promote the ideals of the Communist Party and to appeal to the masses. The most famous of these ensembles was the Red Army Choir, which was founded in 1928.

The Red Army Choir quickly became one of the most popular musical groups in the USSR, and their recordings were widely distributed throughout the country. The choir toured extensively, giving performances in every major city. They also appeared in a number of films, including Eisenstein’s “Alexander Nevsky” (1938).

After World War II, the Red Army Choir continued to be one of the most popular musical groups in the USSR. They continued to tour extensively and make recordings, which were distributed throughout the country. The choir also appeared in a number of Soviet propaganda films, such as “The Fall of Berlin” (1950) and “The Battleship Potemkin” (1955).

In 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Red Army Choir was disbanded. However, many of its members went on to form new folk music ensembles, such as The Alexandrov Ensemble and The Moscow Military Music School Ensemble.

The first folk music schools

The first folk music schools in the Soviet Union were established in the 1920s, in an effort to preserve and promote traditional music. These schools were staffed by professional musicians, who taught students how to play folk instruments and sing folk songs. In addition to traditional music, the curriculum also included the study of classical and popular music.

The first generation of students at these schools went on to become some of the most famous folk musicians in the country, including Vladimir Vysotsky, Mark Bernes, and Lydia Ruslanova. Today, there are dozens of folk music schools in Russia, and many professional folk musicians continue to perform and teach at these institutions.

The 21st Century: The Revival of Russian Folk Music

Though it has been largely overshadowed by Western music in recent centuries, Russian folk music is enjoying something of a renaissance in the 21st century. This is thanks in part to a renewed interest in traditional Russian culture, but also to the increasing popularity of world music. Russian folk music has a rich history, and its revival is ensuring that this important part of Russian culture is not forgotten.

The rise of independent folk music ensembles

While the Russian folk music scene was traditionally dominated by large, state-sponsored ensembles, the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 ushered in a new era of independent folk music groups. These smaller, more intimate ensembles often focused on traditional songs and instrumentation, but also incorporated elements of jazz, rock, and other genres. This eclectic approach to folk music helped to revive interest in the genre among young people in Russia and abroad.

One of the most successful independent Russian folk groups is the St. Petersburg-based ensemble Bering Strait. Formed in 1993, the group has released five albums and won numerous awards, including a Grammy nomination for their album The Crossing (2007). Bering Strait is known for their skillful use of traditional Russian instruments like the balalaika and accordion, as well as for their willingness to experiment with new sounds and styles.

Another popular independent folk group is Vesiolie Rebiata (“The Wet Nurses”), formed in Moscow in 1996. Vesiolie Rebiata takes a more humorous approach to Russian folk music, infusing traditional songs with irony and humor. The group has released six albums and toured extensively throughout Europe and North America.

Though independent folk groups have become increasingly popular in recent years, state-sponsored ensembles like the Moscow Folk Orchestra still play an important role in keeping Russian folk music alive. These ensembles often focus on educational work, performing at schools and community centers around the country.

The revival of traditional folk music festivals

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, there has been a revival of traditional folk music festivals in Russia. These festivals provide an important opportunity for folk musicians to perform and share their music with a wider audience.

One of the most important folk music festivals in Russia is the International Folklore Festival, which is held every two years in Moscow. The festival showcases the traditional music of different regions of Russia and attracts performers from all over the world.

Another significant festival is the Komi Republic Folk Music Festival, which is held annually in Syktyvkar, the capital of the Komi Republic. This festival focuses on the traditional music of the Komi people, one of the indigenous peoples of Russia.

These festivals provide an important platform for the promotion and preservation of traditional Russian folk music.