Russian Folk Music: A primer

If you’re interested in learning more about Russian folk music, this blog post is for you! We’ll cover the basics of what Russian folk music is, its history, and some of its key characteristics. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of this fascinating musical tradition.

What is Russian Folk Music?

Russian folk music is a genre of music that originates in the villages and countryside of Russia and is closely related to the music of other Eastern European countries. It typically features Slavic folk instruments such as the balalaika and garmoshka, and often includes choral singing. While some Russian folk songs can be traced back to the medieval period, most of the best-known pieces were composed in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The History of Russian Folk Music

Russian folk music has a long and rich history, dating back to the medieval times. Russian folk music was initially used as a way to entertain the upper class, but eventually it became more popular with the common people as well. Russian folk music often tells stories of love, loss, and the hardships of life. The music is usually upbeat and lively, and often features instruments like the balalaika and accordion.

Early Russian Folk Music

Russia is a vast and culturally diverse country, with many distinct ethnic groups and musical traditions. Russians themselves are mostly of Slavic descent, but there are also significant populations of Tatars, Georgians, Estonians, Finlanders, and other nationalities. This diversity is reflected in the wide variety of folk music styles that can be found in Russia.

Russian folk music has its roots in the pagan music of the Slavic peoples. This music was carried over into the Orthodox Christian liturgy, and from there into secular Russian folksongs. By the 18th century, Russian folk music had undergone something of a metamorphosis; it had absorbed influences from Central European baroque and classical music, as well as from Turkish and Mongolian music. These influences can still be heard in Russian folk music today.

One of the most important aspects of Russian folk music is the use of balalaika, a three-stringed instrument that is played with a pick. The balalaika has a distinctive triangular body and a long neck, and produces a very characteristic sound that is instantly recognizable as Russian. Balalaikas are used in a wide variety of folk musical styles, from fast-paced dances to slow ballads.

Another important part of Russian folk music is the singing style known as khonochai (pronounced “khon-o-chai”). This style involves singing in a high-pitched voice with rapid vibrato; it is often used for solo vocal pieces or for accompaniment to instrumental pieces. Khonochai singing can be quite challenging for beginners, but once you get the hang of it you’ll be able to create some beautiful sounds!

The Soviet Era

Although the documentary film Nightingale of the Mountains was made during World War II and could be seen as propaganda, it is nevertheless an amazing record of folk music in the Soviet Union during a time of great upheaval. The film follows three traveling bards, or skomorokhi, as they travel from village to village entertaining the people with their music, laughter and stories.

The skomorokhi were an important part of Russian culture for centuries, acting as both entertainers and social commentators. They were often the only source of news and information for rural villages, and their songs could be both light-hearted and serious. The skomorokhi were banned in the 18th century by Catherine the Great, but they continued to perform in secret.

During the Soviet era, folk music was seen as a way to promote socialism and internationalism. The government encouraged folk groups to perform for workers and peasants, and many famous singers and musicians (including Vladimir Vysotsky and Bulat Okudzhava) started their careers performing folk songs.

However, the government also censored folk music that was considered too “nationalistic” or “religious.” Many traditional songs were banned outright, while others were rewritten to fit the Soviet ideology. For example, a popular song about a young man who leaves his village to join the Red Army was rewritten to remove references to God and religion.

Despite government censorship, many people continued to listen to traditional folk music in secret. This “underground” folk music scene played an important role in preserving traditional Russian culture during the Soviet era.

Post-Soviet Era

In the early 1990s, after the fall of the Soviet Union, there was a resurgence in the popularity of Russian folk music. New bands began to form, and established bands began to experiment with new sounds and styles. Today, there is a wide variety of Russian folk music, from traditional bandurist music to modern rock-influenced folk-pop.

Characteristics of Russian Folk Music

Russian folk music is characterized by its use of minor keys, and its wide range of moods and emotions. Russia’s music is also known for its use of the perfect fourth, which gives it a very “singable” quality. Russian folk music often tells stories of the people and the land, and its history can be traced back hundreds of years.

Melodies

One of the most striking features of Russian folk music is its use of highly ornamented melodies. This ornamental style is known as koloratura, and it involves adding flourishes and trills to notes in the melody. While koloratura is often associated with classical music, it’s also a key element of Russian folk music. This ornamental style helps to create a rich, expressive sound that captures the emotional quality of the music.

Russian folk music often features sudden changes in dynamics, which can create a sense of tension and release. This dynamic quality is known as staccato, and it’s created by playing short, disconnected notes. Staccato can be used to create a variety of effects, from playful and energetic to dark and menacing. It’s an important tool for conveying the emotional content of a song.

Another characteristic of Russian folk music is its use of drones. A drone is a sustained note that provides a background sound against which the melody is played. Drones are typically created by stringed instruments such as the balalaika or gusli, but they can also be produced by wind instruments such as the accordion or bagpipes. Drones add depth and richness to the sound of Russian folk music and help to create a feeling of space and atmosphere.

Instruments

Most Russian folk music is based on the folk songs of the Slavic people, who are the indigenous people of Russia. These songs were originally passed down by oral tradition, and they were only written down in the 19th century. As a result, most Russian folk songs are marked by a wide variety of regional dialects.

The instrumentation of Russian folk music is also quite diverse. Common instruments include the balalaika (a three-stringed, triangular-shaped instrument), the gusli (a type of harp), the accordion, and the bayan (a type of chromatic button accordion).

Lyrics

One of the most distinctive characteristics of Russian folk music is its lyrics, which are often poignant and deeply personal. Themes of love, loss, and homesickness are common, as are references to the natural world and the countryside. Many Russian folk songs also tell stories or celebrate historical events.

Notable Russian Folk Musicians

Russian folk music has a long and rich history, dating back to the ancient Slavic tribes. Russian folk music was shaped by the music of these tribes, as well as by the music of the Byzantine Empire and the Orthodox Church. Russian folk music has also been influenced by the music of other cultures, such as the Mongols, the Turks, and the Tatars.

Vladimir Vysotsky

Vladimir Vysotsky was a Russian singer-songwriter, poet, and actor who was immensely popular in the Soviet Union for his critically acclaimed folk songs. His lyrics often dealt with the hardships of Soviet life, love, and lost comrades, and his music spanned various genres including rock, jazz, and blues. He was blacklisted by the Soviet government for his politically subversive songs, but he continued to perform underground until his untimely death in 1980 at the age of 42.

Mark Bernes

Mark Bernes (born Nikolai Mikhailovich Bernes; Russian: Никола́й Миха́йлович Бе́рн; 25 July 1911 – 16 June 1969) was a Soviet singer, film actor and People’s Artist of the USSR (1954). Bernes became well known for his songs “The Eternal Garland” (“Вечный вяз”, 1945), “Katyusha” (“Катюша”, 1944), and “Moscow Nights” (“Подмосковные вечера”, 1955).

Born in Odessa, Bernes studied singing at the Odessa Conservatory. He made his stage debut in 1931, performing the role of Lensky in Tchaikovsky’s opera Eugene Onegin. From 1931 to 1940, he worked as a singer and actor at the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater. In 1940, he moved to Moscow to continue his career.

Bernes appeared in over 30 films, including The Cranes Are Flying (1957) and Ballad of a Soldier (1959). He also toured extensively throughout the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. In 1969, he died of cancer at the age of 57.

Pyotr Leshchenko

Pyotr Leshchenko (1873-1942) was a supremely gifted singer and musician who achieved iconic status in the early years of Russian recorded music. He was born in the Ukrainian city of Poltava into a family of impoverished gentry, and his first career was as a journalist. But his real passion was for music, and he became an expert on Ukrainian folk song. In 1902 he moved to Moscow, where he quickly became part of the capital’s social and artistic elite. He made his name as a singer of Ukrainian folk songs, but he also recorded a wide range of other material, from Russian romances to Italian opera arias.

Leshchenko was one of the first Russian recording artists to achieve widespread popularity, and his records were enormously successful both in Russia and abroad. He continued to perform and record until his death in 1942, by which time he had become one of the most famous musicians in Russia.

Russian Folk Music Today

Russian Folk music has its roots in the ancient Slavic culture, and it has been a significant part of Russian life for centuries. Folk music was and continues to be an important part of Russian society, shaping the country’s musical heritage and identity. Today, Russian folk music is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.

Festivals

One of the best ways to experience Russian folk music is to attend one of the many festivals that are held throughout the country. These festivals are a great opportunity to see some of the best traditional musicians in action and to enjoy a wide variety of music and dance.

Some of the most popular festivals include the Volynka Festival, the Siberian Folk Music Festival, and the International Festival of Slavic Folklore. Attendees can expect to see a wide variety of musical performances, as well as dance and other traditional arts. These festivals are a great way to experience Russian culture and tradition firsthand.

Recordings

If you want to get a taste of Russian folk music without traveling to Russia, there are a number of recordings available. Folk music is sometimes included on compilations of Russian classical music, but there are also a number of albums devoted entirely to folk music. These albums generally include a mix of vocal and instrumental pieces, some traditional and some more modern.

Popularity

Despite the industrial and urban changes that have taken place in Russia over the past century, folk music has maintained its popularity. Today, there are many Russian folk music ensembles that perform traditional songs and dances from all over the country. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, there has been a renewed interest in Russian folk music, both within Russia and among listeners around the world.

There are now many recordings of Russian folk music available, as well as numerous festivals and concerts devoted to this genre. Russian folk music has also been influenced by Western music, particularly since the 19th century. Many modern Russian folk musicians have incorporated Western instruments and styles into their work.