Album Notes

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__ FOR THE NEXT 5 PURCHASERS OF "TREASURES RUSSE" __

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY !!! -- THE NEXT 5 PURCHASERS MAY TAKE 20% OFF THE REGULAR PRICE OF THE 2-CD SET AND GET IT FOR ONLY $19.19 - OTHERS ARE PROBABLY ONLINE ORDERING RIGHT NOW SO DON'T MISS OUT AND LET THEM BEAT YOU TO THIS INCREDIBLE SAVINGS ON THIS WONDERFUL DUAL CD SET. THIS OFFER ONLY APPLIES TO THE NEXT 5 PURCHASERS AFTER WHICH THE REGULAR CD BABY PRICE OF $23.99 IS ONCE AGAIN EFFECTIVE.

ORDER NOW AND GET YOUR 20% DISCOUNT BEFORE THIS OFFER EXPIRES.

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NEARLY 2.5 HRS OF DELIGHTFUL AND PASSIONATE MUSIC ON 2 CDs

Russian folk music is excitement, passion, romance and serious as well as fun. The contribution of Russian composers such as Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Glinka, Shostakovich and Stravinsky to classical music is well known, but did you know that they also revered and made many important contributions to Russian folk music?

For many years the rich folk music tradition of Russia has been cultivated and held in high esteem by the people and musicians across the globe.

From an ancient and simple folk tradition, the folk music of Russia has evolved to a sophisticated and passionate art form largely by virtue of the numerous Russian state-supported institutions and conservatories dedicated to the study and development of both vocal and instrumental Russian folk music. Consequently this music has achieved an unusual level of world-class virtuosic artistry while retaining its folk heritage, which encapsulates mysticism and passion.

Russian folk music typically incorporates human voice, the balalaika (popularized in the film "Dr. Zhivago") and domra string instrument families, the bayan (Russian button accordion), the gusli and other native wind instruments. Folk dancing in native costumes is often performed while music is being played.

Russian folk music may performed by a single musician, a small ensemble or a magnificent orchestra of Russian folk instruments sometimes consisting of nearly 100 or more musicians.

The Balalaika & Domra Association of America (BDAA) is a multi-ethnic, non-profit, non-political association organized to perpetuate music written for the balalaika and domra and related instruments, to disseminate information pertaining to the musical and cultural heritage of Eastern European traditions and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and developments concerning these instruments and their musical possibilities. The BDAA holds domestic or international annual conventions throughout the US and world, which provide the opportunity for masters and students to study, rehearse, jam and perform in a professional concert performance. "Treasures Russe" is a collection of the best performances and recordings in the history of the BDAA. To learn more about the BDAA, please visit our web site at: http://www.bdaa.com

The tracks of "Treasures Russe" unequivocally capture the essence of "Russian Soul". Hearing conservatory-trained musicians play the romantic, captivating and passionate folk melodies on native acoustic instruments is unparalleled in any other form of folk music.

Please enjoy the outstanding contrabass balalaika playing of Greg Carageorge on "Toska Po Rodine", the satire and musical humor of Shasha Polinoff, the lyrical and sensitive melodic playing of Irina Orlova's domra on "Pesnya" and the emotional and moving version of "Tolka Ras" by Yuriy Mugerman.

I invite you to take a joyous musical pleasure cruise throughout nearly 20 years of outstanding BDAA performances as captured in "Treasures Russe".

THE DUAL CD SET ALSO CONTAINS A 12-PAGE BOOKLET WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THE HISTORY OF RUSSIAN FOLK MUSIC, THE INSTRUMENTS AND A COLORFUL DESCRIPTION OF THE FEATURED ARTISTS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.

****** ENJOY LISTINING! ****


Thank you.

George Gaspar
(Producer of "Treasures Russe")


Here is what some purchasers have said about "Treasures Russe".

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Just a quick note to tell you how much I have enjoyed listening to Treasures Russe. I was amazed at how professionally it was done. ...I loved it!!!!! I've been doing a lot of driving and have listened to it multiple times.

Sandy Uphill (BDAA Vice-President)

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Hi George, I just had to tell you, the "Treasures Russe" 2-CD set is superb, a real treasure. I look forward to your next productions. Keep up the good work.

Francis Kosheleff (Leader, Balka Balalaika Ensemble)

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George, great job on the CDs....Calva and I listened to it on the way home from Pittsburgh. The recordings you made of course were very good, but collecting them all, reformatting them, editing them so carefully, selecting the best, and the final publication with the excellent liner notes ....a lot of work I know and a very professional job.

Joel Leonard (Washington Balalaika Society)

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