Explore More - 2017

Music of the MARIINSKY

Music of the MARIINSKY We are delighted to welcome the exquisite vocal talents of our Mariinsky musicians on board our cruises through Russia. Here we take a look at the history, composers, styles and lyrics of traditional Russian vocal music 98 VIKINGCRUISES.COM | EXPLORE MORE 2017

MUSIC OF THE MARIINSKY Russian Folk Music The roots of Russian folk music can be traced back to Slavic tribes who settled in the European part of the country. The songs, dances and music that defined these tribes were well-documented, appearing in manuscripts from as early as 591 AD. That was just the beginning of a rich and varied tradition of great Russian folk music born out of a myriad of regions, cultures and religions. Described as an “expression of the Russian soul,” the country’s traditional folk music tends to fall into two distinct categories: ritual songs (incantations, laments, festival, wedding and work songs) and non-ritual songs (folk epics, love songs, lullabies and instrumental music). Many of the songs originate from pre-Christian Russia and continue to play an important role in the pagan festivals that are still celebrated in some rural areas today. Centuries ago, however, it is believed that hardworking country folk found some light relief in singing these songs while they labored. Throughout Russian history, there has always been a great divide between the haves and have-nots. And the folk songs of the common people formed a part of that distinction. In 1648, Tsar Alexei I banned the use of musical instruments in the name of the Orthodox Church, effectively causing the extinction of many forms of native instrumental music of the era. For the next 200 years, traditional folk music continued to be dismissed as common and vulgar by the Russian court, who preferred to hire musicians and composers from Europe. Even in Tchaikovsky’s opera Pique Dame, Queen of Spades Lisa and her friends are reprimanded for singing and dancing to a cheerful peasant maiden song. It was only during the late 18th and 19th centuries that noble Russians became interested in discovering the true “Russian soul” for themselves. As interest in traditional “peasant” and artisan cultures spread throughout Europe, going back to a country’s roots became all the rage. After centuries of ignoring the lyrics and melodies of traditional Russian folk music, Russians now took pride in the songs sung by “happy,” working peasants bearing their daily struggles with cheer—a myth perpetuated and supported wholeheartedly by Catherine the Great. The pieces you will hear on board our river cruises through Russia are classical arrangements of folk songs that were collected and arranged by famous Russian composers during the 19th century. They would once have been accompanied by a choir, a bayan (a type of accordion), folk violin or balalaika, but are now accompanied by piano. So although they are interpretations rather than authentic reproductions of the originals, the songs still create a haunting evocation of the melodies, rhythms and soul of true Russian folk music. EXPLORE MORE 2017 | VIKINGCRUISES.COM 99