Points of Russia: Exploring the Land of the Tsars

Exploring the World of Russian Music From the classic works of Tchaikovsky, to contemporary hits of popular artists like Timati and Emin, Russian music is diverse, unique and inspiring. As one of the world’s oldest cultures, Russia has a long and rich musical tradition. In this article, we will explore the various elements of Russian music and look at the wide range of sounds and genres that have grown from its roots. Music has always been an important part of Russian culture. As far back as the ninth century, ancient Russian songs were being written and sung by the people of the time. This tradition of singing and composing has continued down through the centuries and Russian music has seen many changes and influences from foreign cultures. Today, this traditional music has been adapted with newer styles and instruments. Classical music is a major part of Russian musical culture. Perhaps the most famous composer of this era is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. His famous works contain incr...

Celebrating Russian Music Genres For centuries, Russia has been a prolific source of vibrant and diverse music, ranging from classical works to modern pop and rock. With such an extensive and inspiring musical landscape, celebrating Russian music is an endeavour that should never end. Russian music reaches back to the 10th century, with the earliest written record of Russian music having been recorded in the 11th century. Since then, Russia has developed a rich musical culture – with spirituals, classical music, jazz, rock, and other musical forms having a long history in Russia. One of the most beloved and celebrated genres of traditional Russian folk music is skomorokh music. This genre takes its name from the skomorokhs – or 'skomorokh minstrels' – who performed this music in the 16th and 17th centuries. The skomorokhs were professional musicians who would roam the countryside, singing stories, jokes, and theatrical sketches. Typical musical instruments included the balal...