Pyatnitsky Russian Folk Choir (Choir)
The Pyatnitsky Russian Folk Choir was
established by Mitrofan Pyatnitsky in 1910 initially with 18 peasants from
Voronezh, Ryazan and Smolensk gubernias. The peasant chorus held its first
performance at the Small hall of the Moscow Nobility Club (later the October
Hall of the House of Trade Unions) on March 2, 1911.
Pyatnitsky focused on traditional Russian
song. The performers sang, enacted dance scenes and played folk instruments. One
of the first soloists of renown in the chorus was Arina Kolobayeva. In its early
years the chorus received high praise from Russian musicians Sergei Rachmaninov
and Fyodor Chaliapin.
The chorus has its own folklore studio with
a collection of folklore materials and recordings. Today, the chorus has over
100 members. The chorus has been awarded numerous state awards. In its long
years of existence it has visited every port of the former Soviet Union and
toured Czecholslovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Finland,
Canada, Japan, Sweden, Mexico, Germany, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and
Luxembourg.
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