Our international project was formed out of a love for the music and traditions of Russia and a wish for others to experience these magical sounds. The fortuitous meeting between a Siberian and an American, each representing a diverse culture and background, has been a gloriously rich collaboration. The commonalities are surprising: conservatory training, chamber music, folk music and dance backgrounds, a lifetime of singing. The meshing of ideas, sensibilities and styles to create a coherent whole has been challenging, stimulating and joyful.
The balalaika is one of the most quintessential, evocative sounds of Russia. The balalaika/piano duo, once popular even before Soviet times, has become a rarity. Since the inception of Russian Duo, in 2007, we have been exploring original repertoire, classical music arrangements and transcriptions of Old World favorites. In addition to the instrumental repertoire, we are singing our own versions of folk songs and translating our favorites into English. Oleg is fluent in English, Terry is learning Russian. Although our interests are far-ranging and we are currently experimenting with modern technologies, in this album we present only the acoustic, instrumental side of our music.
We chose these pieces for their broad spectrum of emotions and styles - from humorous to lyrical, from romantic to celebratory. We were inspired to create our own rendition of Russian Rag, originally for solo piano, after we heard an old recording by Russian mandolin virtuoso Dave Apollon and his mandolin orchestra. Balalaika Waltz, composed by Andreyev - the originator and champion of the modern balalaika - is an elegant example of how a master composer conceived a vast range of possibilities for the instrument. Kalinka Concert Variations represents a characteristically Russian genre - virtuosic variations on a well-known, well-loved traditional song. We have included selections by Mozart, Schubert and Dvorak to provide fresh interpretations of cherished classics.
We hope this music warms your soul and transports you!
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Daniel Hathaway (Classical Cleveland.com) in his review of the recording, praises the "artistry of these two gifted musicians." He writes, "the musicality and virtuosity displayed will appeal to a broad spectrum of music lovers."
The Hartford (Connecticut) Advocate called the "hard touring Russian Duo . . . dazzling musicians . . . explosive talent . . ."
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Biographies:
Oleg Kruglyakov was born in Omsk City, Siberia, Russia in 1966. Educated at the renowned Ekaterinburg Conservatory in conducting, balalaika performance and ethnic singing, he performed as balalaika soloist with many Folk Russian groups, touring throughout Russia, Siberia, Ukraine, France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Malta and Turkmenistan. Oleg moved to the United States in 1998 to become part of "Moscow Nights" touring extensively in Canada, Alaska and 45 states.
Terry Boyarsky has been performing chamber music for over 35 years and is an internationally recognized educator in music and movement. She has collaborated with instrumentalists, singers and dancers across the United States, Canada, France, Switzerland, Thailand, and Venezuela. Terry holds a BA in experimental psychology from Reed College, a BM in Eurhythmics from Cleveland Institute of Music, and an MA in Ethnomusicology from Kent State University. Terry sings with Cleveland Orchestra Blossom Festival Chorus and Choral Arts Society and is an Artist-in-Residence with Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio and the Ohio Arts Council.
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