Russia’s Best Folk Music

Discover Russia’s best folk music, from traditional performers to contemporary groups keeping the folk music scene alive.

What is Russian Folk Music?

Russia is a land with a rich and diverse musical tradition. Russian folk music includes a wide variety of styles and genres, from the hauntingly beautiful songs of the Far North to the rousing dances of the Central Asian steppes.

The roots of Russian folk music can be traced back to the music of the ancient Slavic peoples. Over time, this music has been Influenced by both Eastern and Western traditions, resulting in a uniquely Russian sound. Today, Russian folk music is enjoyed by people all over the world, and is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage.

There are many different types of Russian folk music, each with its own distinctive style and history. Some of the most popular genres include:

-Lubok: A type of song-poem that was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Lubki were often humorous or satirical, and were usually accompanied by simple illustrations.

-Byliney: A type of folk song that is characterized by its use of repetition and word-play. Byliney are often used as children’s songs or nursery rhymes.

-Gusli: A type of plucked string instrument that was used in Russia since medieval times. Gusli were traditionally used to accompany songs and dances, or to provide accompaniment for other solo instruments. The most common type of gusli today is known as the “button accordion.”

-Khorovod: A type of round dance that was once popular all over Russia. Khorovods typically involve a large group of people holding hands and dancing in a circle. The dance is often accompanied by singing, clapping, and the playing of musical instruments.

The Origins of Russian Folk Music

Russian folk music is a form of art music developed by the people of what is now Russia. It is characterised by its wide range of styles and genres, ranging from the medieval and Baroque periods to contemporary times.

The origins of Russian folk music can be traced back to the 13th century, when various East Slavic tribes began to settle in what is now Russia. By the 16th century, many of these tribes had assimilated into the broader Russian culture, and their music began to merge with that of the Orthodox Church and other regional traditions.

During the Soviet era (1917-1991),Russian folk music was collectivised and subject to censorship, but it continued to be popular among the people, and many folk songs and melodies were adapted for use in film, television and other media. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russian folk music experienced a resurgence in popularity, both inside Russia and abroad.

Today, Russian folk music is enjoyed by people all over the world, and its influence can be seen in many different genres of music.

The Instruments of Russian Folk Music

Folk music in Russia is often thought of as primarily vocal, with the instruments playing a secondary role. This is not always the case, however, as there are many fine examples of instrumenal folk music from Russia. The most common Russian folk instruments are:

Gusli – a type of zither with anywhere from 12 to 38 strings, the gusli is one of the oldest Russian folk instruments. It was first mentioned in writing in 988 AD and was popular among the upper classes and clergy before becoming associated with peasant musicians.

balalaika – a three-stringed instrument that dates back to the 16th century. It has a distinctive triangular body and is usually played with a pick. The balalaika has a wide range of musical styles associated with it, from light dance tunes to more somber works for solo performance.

domra – another three-stringed instrument, similar to the balalaika but with a rounder body. It first appeared in the 14th century and was used primarily by travelling minstrels known as skomorokhi.

garmoshka – a type of folk horn made from a cow’s horn or sometimes from wood or metal. It has a range of two octaves and was used primarily for signaling purposes or for accompaniment in processions and dance tunes.

The Styles of Russian Folk Music

Russian folk music includes a number of different styles and genres, which have been developed over the course of the country’s history. Folk songs often reflect the rural lifestyle and traditional values of the people who created them, and they are typically passed down from generation to generation orally. Some of the most popular styles of Russian folk music include:

-Byzantine Chant: This style of music was developed in the Orthodox Christian churches of Russia during the Middle Ages. It is characterized by its complex vocal harmonies and Aramaic lyrics.

-Songs of the skomorokhs: The skomorokhs were medieval travelling minstrels who performed a wide variety of songs, including satires, love songs, and epics. Their music was often humorous and often used double-meanings and parody to entertain their audiences.

-Baltic Songs: These songs originate from the countries bordering the Baltic Sea, including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. They are typically characterized by their use of Swedish runes (a type of writing system) and traditional instruments like the kantele (a type of zither).

-Cossack Songs: Cossack songs originate from the southern region of Russia where the Cossacks live. They often deal with topics such as war, heroism, and love, and they are typically very upbeat and lively.

The Performers of Russian Folk Music

Russian folk music is some of the most beautiful and soulful music in the world. The performers of this type of music are often incredibly talented and their performances are truly moving. Here are some of the best Russian folk music performers that you should definitely check out.

1. Alina Orlova – Orlova is a Lithuanian singer-songwriter who performs Russian folk music. Her voice is absolutely gorgeous and her songs are very moving. She has released several albums and her music has been featured in various films and TV shows.

2. Feodosiya – Feodosiya is a Russian folk music ensemble that was founded in 2006. The group consists of seven members who all play traditional Russian instruments. They have released three albums and their music has been featured in a number of films and TV shows.

3. Mariinsky Theatre Folk Instruments Orchestra – This orchestra is made up of some of the best folk musicians in Russia. They perform traditional Russian folk music as well as other types of folk music from around the world. The orchestra has released several albums and their concerts are always very popular.

4. Sergey Starostin – Starostin is a Russian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who performs Russian folk music. He has released several albums and his music has been featured in various films and TV shows. He is also a member of the group Feodosiya.

5. The Barynya Band – The Barynya Band is a group of professional musicians who perform traditional Russian folk music as well as other types of folk music from around the world. The group was founded in 1992 and they have released several albums over the years.

The Legacy of Russian Folk Music

Russian folk music is a vital part of the country’s traditional culture, with a history that dates back centuries. Folk songs and dances played an important role in the everyday lives of ordinary Russians, providing entertainment and relief from the grind of daily life.

During the Soviet era, folk music was often suppressed by the Communist authorities, who saw it as a symbol of “backward” peasant life. Nonetheless, many folk traditions managed to survive, and in recent years there has been a revival of interest in Russian folk music.

Today, there are numerous folk ensembles and solo performers who are keeping the tradition alive. The best-known Russian folk instruments include the balalaika (a three-stringed instrument), accordion, bayan (a type of button accordion), domra (a four-stringed instrument similar to a mandolin), garmon (a small accordion), balalaika contrabass (a large, bass balalaika) and zhaleika (a type of flute).

The most popular Russian folk dances include the khorovod (a circle dance), kozachok (a lively dance originating in Ukraine), trepak (a Ukrainian dance traditionally performed by Cossacks), polevik (a Finno-Ugric dance originating in Siberia) and pryvitochka (a cheerful dance from Belarus).