I have to confess that I do very much like the boisterous, controlled insanity of Otava Yo! But it was a pleasant surprise to listen to their more lyrical, sentimental ballads. And I think pairing their music with Olga Glazova's gusli compositions works very nicely.
I used to listen to Alan Stivell's album in the late 70s, and I loved it. It's been years since I even thought about it, and it's nice to be reminded of it. I'm sure you're right that that was the moment when the Celtic harp made its first appearance. By the time I got married in '89, we had a Celtic harper playing to welcome the guests as they arrived. Years later we discovered the amazing Loreena McKennit who seems to have one foot in the celestial spheres when she performs.
I think that describing Olga's more abstract tunes as soporific is a bit harsh, but the photo of her that you included makes the prospect of being lulled to sleep by this beautiful, barefoot maiden not at all unpleasant.
I used to play the bagpipes when I was in army cadets. Couldn't keep them when I left - they are very expensive so I never carried on. Probably a good thing!
One thing I miss about Vancouver (where I lived for 37 years) is the Punjabi concerts - 3 or 4 a year, with top singers from India and occasionally Pakistan. My wife and I were often the only non-Indians at those events. There are actually a lot of similarities between Celtic and Punjabi music, and Russian folk seems to have some overlap with Celtic as well. Similar instruments, themes and arrangements, much of it tracing back to the Middle East and Persia.
A Celtic harp at your wedding! Man that's classy.
I wasn't disparaging Olga BTW, just mentioning my own reaction to ambient style music. I don't think I've ever listened to Brian Eno or Harold Budd without drifting off. It just has that effect on me.
Thanks for the good thoughts. Was it you that suggested Otava Yo?
Oh, and here's a group you might enjoy in those quieter moments:
Yes, guilty as charged. Thanks for following through with that!
Ensemble Alcatraz is a bit too sparse for my taste. The Celtic/Punjabi hybrid you posted above is more up my alley—it has enough juice to keep a dead man dancing. I missed your last month's feature, but I'm now sitting and listening to Ghaddi Jatt Di! as I type. I'm one of the folks hearing Punjabi trucker music for the first time. I had no idea that such a subculture even exists. Next time I have to drive late into the night I know exactly what to listen to that will keep me awake!
The world is such a vast, unfathomable realm of different sounds and spirits. Thanks so much for putting these songs, and so many others, into my world.
"The world is such a vast, unfathomable realm of different sounds and spirits."
My sentiments exactly.
Here's a good example of similarity to Celtic music, this time from Pakistan. All you'd have to do is change the lyrics and you'd have an Irish ballad.
As much as I love Bhangra I have to say I prefer the Tappay style of the Pashtun people. Syncopated percussion, irregular verses and complex rhythmic structure with interesting fills and bridges... more dramatic than Bhangra I'd say.
Hello! Thanks for the kind words and sorry about the delay replying. I had a problem with my server and was off-line for a few days.
I think this video captures the feeling of tradition you describe. Clearly anything done today is seen through today's eyes, so the experience would not be exactly the same - more a kind of nostalgic retrieval as McLuhan called it. A sense of yearning for a time in which we didn't actually live, but to which we somehow feel a connection.
"I’m curious whether you think Russian folk musicians today are consciously preserving a tradition, or whether the energy and aesthetic just come naturally from the culture."
Well a revivalist movement has definitely taken root among the young generation which has put their own spin on the traditions. Best example of this would be Нейромонах Феофан in my second program, or the folk/metal band Alkonost. Folk music itself has always been interpretive though, the music and lyrics often being modified to fit the range and skill of the performers, as well as the available instruments. Anything that came before recording technology is by definition interpretive, as songs were handed down from generation to generation, often without being written down. Even when written you have elements of interpretation. You see this clearly in the problems encountered when reconstructing medieval music.
I have to say though, I'm not that deeply involved in Russian folk music to make definitive statements. I did play western folk music when I was younger but I've long since moved on. I wasn't that good at it anyway as I can't sing worth crap. To answer the question of whether there's a conscious effort at preservation, or something that springs naturally from the culture I'd say it's a bit of both. I guess you could look at Ireland for comparisons since the two cultures have similar histories and musical styles.
I have to confess that I do very much like the boisterous, controlled insanity of Otava Yo! But it was a pleasant surprise to listen to their more lyrical, sentimental ballads. And I think pairing their music with Olga Glazova's gusli compositions works very nicely.
I used to listen to Alan Stivell's album in the late 70s, and I loved it. It's been years since I even thought about it, and it's nice to be reminded of it. I'm sure you're right that that was the moment when the Celtic harp made its first appearance. By the time I got married in '89, we had a Celtic harper playing to welcome the guests as they arrived. Years later we discovered the amazing Loreena McKennit who seems to have one foot in the celestial spheres when she performs.
I think that describing Olga's more abstract tunes as soporific is a bit harsh, but the photo of her that you included makes the prospect of being lulled to sleep by this beautiful, barefoot maiden not at all unpleasant.
If you like boisterous you'll probably enjoy Celtic/Punjabi music:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK-wHSqus9g
I used to play the bagpipes when I was in army cadets. Couldn't keep them when I left - they are very expensive so I never carried on. Probably a good thing!
One thing I miss about Vancouver (where I lived for 37 years) is the Punjabi concerts - 3 or 4 a year, with top singers from India and occasionally Pakistan. My wife and I were often the only non-Indians at those events. There are actually a lot of similarities between Celtic and Punjabi music, and Russian folk seems to have some overlap with Celtic as well. Similar instruments, themes and arrangements, much of it tracing back to the Middle East and Persia.
A Celtic harp at your wedding! Man that's classy.
I wasn't disparaging Olga BTW, just mentioning my own reaction to ambient style music. I don't think I've ever listened to Brian Eno or Harold Budd without drifting off. It just has that effect on me.
Thanks for the good thoughts. Was it you that suggested Otava Yo?
Oh, and here's a group you might enjoy in those quieter moments:
Ensemble Alcatraz
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC05TMui0cDAmAolEEMQhC8w
"Was it you that suggested Otava Yo?"
Yes, guilty as charged. Thanks for following through with that!
Ensemble Alcatraz is a bit too sparse for my taste. The Celtic/Punjabi hybrid you posted above is more up my alley—it has enough juice to keep a dead man dancing. I missed your last month's feature, but I'm now sitting and listening to Ghaddi Jatt Di! as I type. I'm one of the folks hearing Punjabi trucker music for the first time. I had no idea that such a subculture even exists. Next time I have to drive late into the night I know exactly what to listen to that will keep me awake!
The world is such a vast, unfathomable realm of different sounds and spirits. Thanks so much for putting these songs, and so many others, into my world.
"The world is such a vast, unfathomable realm of different sounds and spirits."
My sentiments exactly.
Here's a good example of similarity to Celtic music, this time from Pakistan. All you'd have to do is change the lyrics and you'd have an Irish ballad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2m47al2DpM
If you like boisterous this one will grab you, Funny too. Pashtun people have a great sense of humour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrpkw1cFu5o
As much as I love Bhangra I have to say I prefer the Tappay style of the Pashtun people. Syncopated percussion, irregular verses and complex rhythmic structure with interesting fills and bridges... more dramatic than Bhangra I'd say.
Better late than never! A true delight....
Hello! Thanks for the kind words and sorry about the delay replying. I had a problem with my server and was off-line for a few days.
I think this video captures the feeling of tradition you describe. Clearly anything done today is seen through today's eyes, so the experience would not be exactly the same - more a kind of nostalgic retrieval as McLuhan called it. A sense of yearning for a time in which we didn't actually live, but to which we somehow feel a connection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HtvH34CmZY&list=RD0HtvH34CmZY&start_radio=1
"I’m curious whether you think Russian folk musicians today are consciously preserving a tradition, or whether the energy and aesthetic just come naturally from the culture."
Well a revivalist movement has definitely taken root among the young generation which has put their own spin on the traditions. Best example of this would be Нейромонах Феофан in my second program, or the folk/metal band Alkonost. Folk music itself has always been interpretive though, the music and lyrics often being modified to fit the range and skill of the performers, as well as the available instruments. Anything that came before recording technology is by definition interpretive, as songs were handed down from generation to generation, often without being written down. Even when written you have elements of interpretation. You see this clearly in the problems encountered when reconstructing medieval music.
https://www.medievalists.net/2022/03/history-musical-notation-middle-ages-renaissance/
Along those lines here's something you might enjoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZTQ1CVTBCM&list=OLAK5uy_m6dFeDpqAqlkgBqqzAAxECjDzhXrQRRXw
I have to say though, I'm not that deeply involved in Russian folk music to make definitive statements. I did play western folk music when I was younger but I've long since moved on. I wasn't that good at it anyway as I can't sing worth crap. To answer the question of whether there's a conscious effort at preservation, or something that springs naturally from the culture I'd say it's a bit of both. I guess you could look at Ireland for comparisons since the two cultures have similar histories and musical styles.