Play Balalaika Play: Monitor Presents the Polyanka Russian Gypsy Orchestra

The balalaika, a fretted string instrument whose standard form is triangular, has been known and played since the 17th century. Itinerant minstrels or skomorokhi used it to accompany their songs ridiculing local politics and the Russian Orthodox Church; it later became the ubiquitous folk instrument of Russia. The modern balalaika orchestra was introduced by Vasily Andreev in the early 20th century and continued into the height of the popularity of Russian folkloric (“narodniy”) music during the Soviet era. Similar ensembles have been created in the U.S. by the Russian diaspora. Balalaikas of all sizes are accompanied by accordion in this mostly instrumental remastered collection with some vocal accompaniment, originally recorded in 1978. Liner notes include a list of songs and a synopsis in English of the three vocal tracks.

Track Listing

101	Blue Kerchief (Sinii Platochek) / Gypsy Dance (Tsiganskii Tanets) - (medley)	Polyanka Russian Gypsy Orchestra	02:46
102	Kostya the Sailor (Kostya Moryak)	Polyanka Russian Gypsy Orchestra	02:52
103	Hobo (Brodyaga) / She Said Nothing (Nichevo Ne Govorila) (medley)	Polyanka Russian Gypsy Orchestra	03:31
104	Serenade (Serenada) / In the Meadow (Na Polyanke) (medley)	Polyanka Russian Gypsy Orchestra	03:45
105	Silence (Tishina)	Polyanka Russian Gypsy Orchestra	02:38
106	Little Meadow (Polyanka)	Polyanka Russian Gypsy Orchestra	03:28
107	Ukrainian Dance (Kazachok)	Polyanka Russian Gypsy Orchestra	02:30
108	Gossip (Spletni)	Polyanka Russian Gypsy Orchestra	02:52
109	Ukainian Medley (Ukrainskoye Popurri)	Polyanka Russian Gypsy Orchestra	05:19
110	Forget-Me-Not (Nezabudka)	Polyanka Russian Gypsy Orchestra	03:24
111	Moldavian Dance (Moldavanskii Tanets)	Polyanka Russian Gypsy Orchestra	01:55
112	Blue Grass (Travushka) / Should I Go? (Poidu Li, Vyidu Li Ya) (medley)	Polyanka Russian Gypsy Orchestra	04:05