Jazz will be played on balalaikas in Vitebsk

On January 28, the balalaika octet "Vitebsk Virtuosos" is preparing to present this and other bold creative experiments to music lovers. The all-female ensemble, with over 40 years of history, is currently actively working on a new concert program. Its musicians play unique folk instruments custom-made by the best European masters.

In 1975, the ensemble won the first prize at the V All-Union Competition of Variety Artists in Moscow. Five years ago, in Barnaul, they became laureates of the International Competition of Performers of Music by Argentine Composer Astor Piazzolla, "Libertango."

"Vitebsk Virtuosos," which is, by the way, the world's only balalaika octet, skillfully uses original sound instruments to create a special color in their musical pieces: a typewriter, a wind-up clock, a spinning reel, and others.

They have played jazz before. Now they have decided to return to this theme and update their jazz repertoire. It will include Jack Fin's "Bumblebee Boogie" and Viktor Poltoratsky's "Ragtime."

However, performing on the same stage with a violinist will be a first for her protégés, says the permanent leader of "Vitebsk Virtuosos," Honored Artist of Belarus Tamara Shafranova:

- The violin sounds wonderful accompanied by the balalaika timbre. Playing with a violinist has been my long-standing dream. Now that Vitebsk has a wonderful soloist, Vladislav Mitsenko, we are happy to make it come true.

Together with Mitsenko, the octet will perform Astor Piazzolla's "Oblivion" and Vittorio Monti's "Czardas." The musicians hope that their experiments with form and search for new, unusual sounds will be of interest to the audience.

Sergey Golesnik, "SB Belarus Today"