And for those of you unfamiliar with the balalaika, here is what an adult virtuoso can do with this instrument:
Saker Message:
And for those of you unfamiliar with the balalaika, here is what an adult virtuoso can do with this instrument:
thanks Saker – that was fabulous
As in most things truly Russian, simplicity is the key, for the balalaika has only 3 strings: the rest of this instrument’s incredible output is down to the passion, hard work, discipline and imagination of the performer.
Quite amazing skills.
Beautiful ! Amazing ! What an instrument !
What a darling, talented little girl with a great sense of rhythm and musical drama.
Katherine
I recently saw a group of ‘street musicians’ playing classical stuff eg Vivaldi, Borodin, Bach in a tunnel with good acoustics. They looked eastern European to me, and the violinists were real pros. For the bass, they had a giant balalaika, the size of a double bass with a huge, triangular body. I’ve not seen anything like it before.
Wow, both are amazing performers. The little girl has to be admired as well as she must be around 7 year old? I did not go to the youtube, which may have some details.
A little adorable faerie playing her balalaika.
Wow! What can I say? I am overwhelmed!
Her engrossment in her playing, her body & emotion, is a joy to observe.
Wonderful! What talent and passion, she will go far.
I predict that, in the future, Anastasia will be as good as, if not better than world class performers today! Judging by the talent and passion she shows and the dexterity of this young “Genius”, i am willing to bet my life on it!
I have seen her on YouTube many times, my heart is sold!
The instrument might only have 3 strings, but that’s not what counts. This “Genius”, this “Angel”, gives it “Soul”!
Raymond
Dear Saker,
Hi there, I used to follow your site more on a more regular basis. i.e. during the Ukraine-Bonbas war, than I do resently, but I admire your voice online as there is an enormous need for it. The lack of love for Russia , its culture, liturature & music is painful to me.
My Question:
Did you at all comment on the Netflix series: The Last Tsar.
I could not believe my eyes that such an utterly incompetent person as displayed in that series could have been Russia’s last Tsar. Could you please enlighten us if that was indeed an accurate portrayal of that part of history & particularly of the Tsar itself, or have you already done so elsewhere on your site, in which case I would love the link.
Tks a million & God bless.
Henderikus de Poel
Hollywood will always present Russians as degenerate brutes, especially those who were murdrerd by agents of the West.
The Saker
No, sometimes they are portrayed like all people – some good, some inspired, some poetic and artistic, some passionate and impetuous, some circumspect, some long-suffering and loyal, some romantic, some degenerate, some cold and evil, some who are opportunistic, some have been forged in a warped idealism, some who are conflicted. Like in Dr. Zhivago. (Courtesy of the great Russian writer, Boris Pasternak) Stereotypes are easy – drunken, rowdy Irish, stingy and calculating Scots, womanizing and stylish Frenchmen, passionate, tearful Italians, macho Latinos, i nscrutible Asians, proud and impecunious Spaniards, colorless,passionless Englishmen. Don’t let it get you down, Saker. It’s all ok. We all know that people are multi-dimensional.