Pyatnitsky Choir
Encyclopedia
The Pyatnitsky Russian Folk Chorus 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.
In 1918, the chorus transferred it base to Moscow
. After hearing the chorus, Lenin
personally noted the necessity of expanding the chorus's activities, having it perform in concert halls, factories and plants. In 1925, Mitrofan Pyatnitsky was awarded the title of Merited Artist of the Republic.
After Pyatnitsky's death, the company was named after him and the leadership was taken by Pyotr Kazmin. In 1931, the chorus was joined by Vladimir Grigorievich Zakharov who enhanced the chorus's repertoire with his songs. The ensemble was enlarged with a dance group and orchestra of Russian folk instruments
in the 1930s led by Vasily Khvatov. In 1962, Valentin Levashov became the company's art director.
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.
Mitrofan Pyatnitsky
Mitrofan Yefimovich Pyatnitsky was a Russian and Soviet musician, gatherer of Russian folk songs. He established the famous Pyatnitsky Choir in 1910 from 18 peasants originally from the Voronezh, Ryazan and Smolensk gubernias. After his death in 1927, the chorus was named after him....
in 1910 initially with 18 peasants from Voronezh, Ryazan
Ryazan
Ryazan is a city and the administrative center of Ryazan Oblast, Russia. It is located on the Oka River southeast of Moscow. Population: The strategic bomber base Dyagilevo is just west of the city, and the air base of Alexandrovo is to the southeast as is the Ryazan Turlatovo Airport...
and Smolensk
Smolensk
Smolensk is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River. Situated west-southwest of Moscow, this walled city was destroyed several times throughout its long history since it was on the invasion routes of both Napoleon and Hitler. Today, 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
Ethnic Russian music
Ethnic Russian music specifically deals with the folk music traditions of the ethnic Russian people. It does not include the various forms of art music, which in Russia often contains folk melodies and folk elements or music of aother ethnic groups living in Russia.-History:The roots of Russian...
. 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.
In 1918, the chorus transferred it base to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. After hearing the chorus, Lenin
Vladimir Lenin
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin was a Russian Marxist revolutionary and communist politician who led the October Revolution of 1917. As leader of the Bolsheviks, he headed the Soviet state during its initial years , as it fought to establish control of Russia in the Russian Civil War and worked to create a...
personally noted the necessity of expanding the chorus's activities, having it perform in concert halls, factories and plants. In 1925, Mitrofan Pyatnitsky was awarded the title of Merited Artist of the Republic.
After Pyatnitsky's death, the company was named after him and the leadership was taken by Pyotr Kazmin. In 1931, the chorus was joined by Vladimir Grigorievich Zakharov who enhanced the chorus's repertoire with his songs. The ensemble was enlarged with a dance group and orchestra of Russian folk instruments
Ethnic Russian music
Ethnic Russian music specifically deals with the folk music traditions of the ethnic Russian people. It does not include the various forms of art music, which in Russia often contains folk melodies and folk elements or music of aother ethnic groups living in Russia.-History:The roots of Russian...
in the 1930s led by Vasily Khvatov. In 1962, Valentin Levashov became the company's art director.
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.