About Us
The Orchestra
The Russian Balalaika Orchestra of Pittsburgh has received rave reviews from folk music aficionados since it’s formation in 2014. The group has especially caught the imagination of Pittsburgh audiences. The Orchestra has performed at festivities in area Russian and Ukrainian churches, at area universities, the Carnegie Library in Oakland and many private events in and around Pittsburgh. The Orchestra has traveled across the midwest to perform at the Russian Festival Concert of the Balalaika and Domra Association of America.
The Orchestra is one of only 11 such ensembles performing today in the US and Canada. The tradition of the balalaika orchestra goes back to the end of the 19th century when nobleman and musicologist V.V. Andreëv rediscovered the balalaika in a remote Russian village. He had new balalaikas made in a variety of voices in the musical range. Since that time, balalaika orchestras have formed across Europe, North and South America, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Israel, and other countries.
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With encouragement from many Pittsburgh folk musicians, Charley Rappaport founded the Orchestra starting with 10 people. This is the 5th balalaika orchestra he has started in regions of the US since 1964, all but one of which still exist. His goal was to make the sound and repertoire of the Orchestra different from all other Russian ensembles. About 90% of the music played by the Orchestra is arranged or composed by members of the orchestra, making its sound unique.
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Since 2014, the Orchestra has been rehearsing and performing continuously as a community orchestra dedicated to the performance of Russian and Eastern European musical traditions. The group plays on authentic Russian and Ukrainian instruments, bringing the festive and engaging music of these countries to the audience.
“…I closed my eyes and saw myself on the shores of the Volga”
- Carnegie Library - Pittsburgh, PA
“…while they played, I couldn’t keep my feet still!”
- Kent State University - Kent, Ohio
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“…Carrying on the old style of playing ethnic music ... but taking it to new heights of virtuosity…a true American treasure.”
- Alan Epstein - Mandolin Magazine
(Written about Charley Rappaport)
The Music
The Orchestra has a broad repertoire of classical and folk music. The Orchestras programs include classical music from Russian and European composers. This music is some the most accessible classical music performed, written with passion and emotion from composers including Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff.
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In addition, the Orchestra performs many Russian and European folk, popular, and gypsy tunes. While the names of many of these songs may not be familiar, many of these tunes are recognizable, including Ochi Chernye (Dark Eyes), Lara's Theme from Dr. Zhivago, Miserlou, and Svetit Mesyats. These songs are sure to get your feet tapping and provide you with a sense of the history and beauty of Russian traditional and popular music.
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The Instruments
The Russian Balalaika Orchestra of Pittsburgh performs on artisan Russian and Ukrainian instruments, providing a unique and authentic experience for the audience. At the heart of the ensemble are the Russian balalaikas and domras, folk instruments that have been elevated to the concert stage.
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Legend has it that the balalaika was first discovered by Vasily Andreëv in a remote Russian village in the late 19th century. This peasant instrument, likely related to two-stringed instruments brought by the Mongols from China, was later refined by Andreëv for the concert stage. In the early 20th century, Andreëv brought this instrument to prominence, forming orchestras that performed in St. Petersburg and abroad. The balalaika is prominent in the orchestra and is characterized by its unique and recognizable triangular shape. The Orchestra routinely plays the prima (soprano) and alto balalaikas, contributing to both melody and rhythm.
Related to the balalaika, the domra also plays a key role in modern Russian orchestras. The three-stringed Russian and four-stringed Ukrainian domras are played as plectrum instruments. Their unique bowl-back shape distinguishes them from the balalaikas. The Orchestra plays multiple domra voices, including prima (soprano), alto, tenor, bass and contrabass.
In addition, the Russian accordion, the bayan, is a mainstay of Russian folk groups. Like the accordion, the bayan is a bellowed reed instrument that can play individual notes and chords. The Russian bayan, however, does not have a typical keyboard but instead individual notes are associated with buttons played by the right hand. With multiple reeds and the button configuration, the bayan has a wide musical range and can produce multiple unique timbres.
The orchestra also plays a variety of unique Russian woodwinds and percussion instruments to complement these instruments. All are authentic and appropriate for Russian and Eastern European folk, gypsy and classical music.