RUSSIAN CARNIVAL ENSEMBLE - NY BALALAIKA GROUP

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Russian Carnival Ensemble

The Russian Carnival Ensemble was formed in 1998 by a famous duo: Tamara Volskaya (domra) and Anatoliy Trofimov (bayan). The ensemble brought a new dimension to the use of traditional Russian folk instruments presenting music of different styles through the prism of natural sound of unique instruments: 4 string domras, alto-balalaika, bayan and contrabass-balalaika. The group includes artists originally from Ukraine and Russia whose combined musical experience demonstrates mastery both of their instruments and the music they present. Members of the ensemble are equally skilled in playing the Italian mandolin, they often include in their programs original compositions for a mandolin ensemble.

Honored Artists of Russia, winners of international and national competitions, professors of the Mussorgsky Ural State Conservatory Tamara Volskaya (domra) and her late husband Anatoliy Trofimov (bayan) made up one of the most electrifying duos to be found in the world. The ensemble came to life with A. Trofimov’s brilliant arrangements of folk tunes and classical pieces.

Mayya Kalikhman - a former student of Tamara Volskaya, a true multi-instrumentalist, equally skilled in playing the second-domra, alto-domra, and some percussion instruments in the ensemble.

Nataliya Vsevolodskaya combined professional and deeply sensitive performance on the guitar with inspiring playing on alto-balalaika as well as on percussion instruments.

Leonid Bruk has brought a lively musicality to the bass section of the ensemble to perform on the balalaika-contrabass with phenomenal artistry.

Soloists of ensemble, a Russian style soprano Irina Zagornova and an extraordinary bass Anatoliy Panchoshniy added a lot to the success of the group.

Soon after the "Russian Carnival" Ensemble was established, the group became a prominent feature of New York City's musical scene and of Brooklyn community life. The ensemble has performed at Trinity and Saint-Peter's Churches, Merkin Hall, and the 92nd street "Y" in New York City, participated at the Slavic Festivals at Montclair and Kean Universities, in Washington D.C. and in Manhattan. The ensemble presented two programs "A Musical Journey around the World" and "From Baroque to Folk" at the Fortunoff Hall of Dawling College of Long Island and was being featured nationwide on the CBS prime time special "Christmas Around the World".

Highlight of 2004 was the "Russian Carnival" Ensemble performance at Avery Fisher Hall as part of the "Russian Splendor" program. February 2006 was marked with a tremendously successful recital of the ensemble at the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Concert Hall.

The ensemble's most recent achievements were appearances in 2018 for "Russian Christmas" program at the Weill Hall of Carnegie Hall and at Symphony Space Hall in Manhattan to mark 145th Birthday anniversary of the prominent Russian singer Feodor Chaliapin.

The ensemble recorded two programs. The popular CD "Russian Carnival" Ensemble consists of the highlights of ensemble's repertoire.

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	Russian Carnival Ensemble
	The Russian Carnival Ensemble was formed in 1998 by a famous duo: Tamara Volskaya (domra) and Anatoliy Trofimov (bayan). The ensemble brought a new dimension to the use of traditional Russian folk instruments presenting music of different styles through the prism of natural sound of unique instruments: 4 string domras, alto-balalaika, bayan and contrabass-balalaika. The group includes artists originally from Ukraine and Russia whose combined musical experience demonstrates mastery both of their instruments and the music they present. Members of the ensemble are equally skilled in playing the Italian mandolin, they often include in their programs original compositions for a mandolin ensemble. Honored Artists of Russia, winners of international and national competitions, professors of the Mussorgsky Ural State Conservatory Tamara Volskaya (domra) and her late husband Anatoliy Trofimov (bayan) made up one of the most electrifying duos to be found in the world. The ensemble came to life with A. Trofimov’s brilliant arrangements of folk tunes and classical pieces. Mayya Kalikhman - a former student of Tamara Volskaya, a true multi-instrumentalist, equally skilled in playing the second-domra, alto-domra, and some percussion instruments in the ensemble. Nataliya Vsevolodskaya combined professional and deeply sensitive performance on the guitar with inspiring playing on alto-balalaika as well as on percussion instruments. Leonid Bruk has brought a lively musicality to the bass section of the ensemble to perform on the balalaika-contrabass with phenomenal artistry. Soloists of ensemble, a Russian style soprano Irina Zagornova and an extraordinary bass Anatoliy Panchoshniy added a lot to the success of the group. Soon after the "Russian Carnival" Ensemble was established, the group became a prominent feature of New York City's musical scene and of Brooklyn community life. The ensemble has performed at Trinity and Saint-Peter's Churches, Merkin Hall, and the 92nd street "Y" in New York City, participated at the Slavic Festivals at Montclair and Kean Universities, in Washington D.C. and in Manhattan. The ensemble presented two programs "A Musical Journey around the World" and "From Baroque to Folk" at the Fortunoff Hall of Dawling College of Long Island and was being featured nationwide on the CBS prime time special "Christmas Around the World". Highlight of 2004 was the "Russian Carnival" Ensemble performance at Avery Fisher Hall as part of the "Russian Splendor" program. February 2006 was marked with a tremendously successful recital of the ensemble at the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Concert Hall. The ensemble's most recent achievements were appearances in 2018 for "Russian Christmas" program at the Weill Hall of Carnegie Hall and at Symphony Space Hall in Manhattan to mark 145th Birthday anniversary of the prominent Russian singer Feodor Chaliapin. The ensemble recorded two programs. The popular CD "Russian Carnival" Ensemble consists of the highlights of ensemble's repertoire.