Pesniary
Encyclopedia
Pesniary was a popular Soviet
Belarus
ian folk rock band
. It was founded in 1969 by guitarist Vladimir Mulyavin
. Before 1970 the band was known under the name Liavony (Лявоны).
elements and later rock as well. Several of the Pesniary's songs were composed by Alexandra Pakhmutova. The band often used lyrics from the famous Russian and Belorussian poets of the past. Pesniary's favourite was Yanka Kupala
. The band adapted his poems into stage musicals twice: Pesnia o Dole (Song of Fate, 1976) and Guslar (1980), the latter also released as concept album
.
Among their best known song are "Kasiu Jas Kaniushynu", "Belovezhskaya Pushcha", "Belorussiya" and "Alesia".
In 1979, after the success of rock opera Guslar, the whole band was awarded the honorary title Meritorious Artist
of the Soviet Union, and Mulyavin personally received a higher title of People's artist
.
After band's leader Vladimir Muliavin death in a car accident on 26 January 2003, the original Pesniary split. Currently, three different bands laid claims to be the official descendants of the original "Pesniary" band. They are:
All three keep touring and performing original Pesniary songs.
There are also dozens of singles.
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
ian folk rock band
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
. It was founded in 1969 by guitarist Vladimir Mulyavin
Vladimir Mulyavin
Uladzimir Muliavin was a Belarusian rock musician and founder of the folk-rock band Pesniary.- Biography :Uladzimir Muliavin was born in Sverdlovsk in the family of a worker at the Uralmash plant. He started playing the guitar at the age of 12.In 1956, after graduating from school, he entered...
. Before 1970 the band was known under the name Liavony (Лявоны).
Style
Pesniary combined various types of music, but it mostly used Belarusian folklore though often with various psychedelic rockRock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
elements and later rock as well. Several of the Pesniary's songs were composed by Alexandra Pakhmutova. The band often used lyrics from the famous Russian and Belorussian poets of the past. Pesniary's favourite was Yanka Kupala
Yanka Kupala
Yanka Kupala — was the pen name of Ivan Daminikavich Lutsevich , a Belarusian poet and writer. Kupala is considered one of the greatest Belarusian-language writers of the 20th century.-Early life:...
. The band adapted his poems into stage musicals twice: Pesnia o Dole (Song of Fate, 1976) and Guslar (1980), the latter also released as concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
.
Among their best known song are "Kasiu Jas Kaniushynu", "Belovezhskaya Pushcha", "Belorussiya" and "Alesia".
Biography
Pesniary was the best-known Soviet group coming from the Belorussian SSR. It was one of the very few (and possibly the first) Soviet bands to tour in America in 1976. They've toured the South of the USA together with a folk band The New Christy Minstrels. 1974-1980 is considered the Golden Age era of the band when it achieved top popularity in the USSR, in Eastern Europe and in other countries.In 1979, after the success of rock opera Guslar, the whole band was awarded the honorary title Meritorious Artist
Meritorious Artist
Meritorious Artist , also translated as Merited Artist, Deserved Artist or Distinguished Artist or Honorary Artist or Honorable Actor) is an honorary title in the Soviet Union, Russian Federation, Union republics, and Autonomous republics, also in some other Eastern bloc states, as well as in a...
of the Soviet Union, and Mulyavin personally received a higher title of People's artist
People's Artist
People's Artist is a honorary title in the Soviet Union, Union republics, in some other Eastern bloc states , as well as in a number of post-Soviet states, modeled after the title of the People's Artist of the USSR....
.
After band's leader Vladimir Muliavin death in a car accident on 26 January 2003, the original Pesniary split. Currently, three different bands laid claims to be the official descendants of the original "Pesniary" band. They are:
- Belarussian State Ensemble Pesniary - state-produced band under Ministry of Culture of BelarusBelarusBelarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
, consisting mostly of young musicians.
- "Belorusskie Pesniari" led by former Pesniary saxophonist Uladzislau Misevich
- "Pesniari" led by former Pesniary vocalist Leanid Bartkevich.
All three keep touring and performing original Pesniary songs.
Discography
| 1971 | Ты мне вясною прыснiлася | Ty mnie viasnoju prysnilasia | I dreamt of you in spring |
| 1974 | Алеся | Aliesia | Alesya |
| 1977 | Перапёлачка | Pierapiolachka | The Quail |
| 1979 | Волoгда | Vologda | Vologda Vologda Vologda is a city and the administrative, cultural, and scientific center of Vologda Oblast, Russia, located on the Vologda River. The city is a major transport knot of the Northwest of Russia. Vologda is among the Russian cities possessing an especially valuable historical heritage... |
| 1980 | Гусляр | Husliar | Guslar |
| 1982 | Зачарованная моя | Zacharovannaya maya | My Enchanted (live album) |
| 1984 | Через всю войну | Cherez vsyu voynu | Throughout the Whole War |
There are also dozens of singles.
Lineup
The lineup of the band was changing frequently. Among the most notable and long-living band members were:- Vladimir Muliavin (guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, 1968–2003) - Valery Muliavin (guitar, 1968–1973)
- Leanid Bartkevich (vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, 1969–1980) - Anatol Kasheparau (vocals, 1970–1990)
- Valery Dayneka (vocals, altoAltoAlto is a musical term, derived from the Latin word altus, meaning "high" in Italian, that has several possible interpretations.When designating instruments, "alto" frequently refers to a member of an instrumental family that has the second highest range, below that of the treble or soprano. Hence,...
, 1976–1992) - Leanid Tyshko (bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, 1968–1981) - Uladzislau Misevich (saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, fluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, 1968–1992) - Alexander Dziameshka (drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, 1968–1988) - Uladzimir Nikalajeu (keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, 1971–1980)
External links
- “Pesnyary”- official website of the group (БЕЛОРУССКИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ АНСАМБЛЬ "ПЕСНЯРЫ"-официальный сайт
- «Белорусские Песняры»-ОФИЦИАЛЬНЫЙ САЙТ АНСАМБЛЯ ("Belarusyan Pesniary"-official website of the group)
- PESNIARY(PESNYARY)
- Pesniary Music Albums
- PESNIARY (PESNYARY) News, Gossip, Pictures, Videos, Wallpaper...
- «Песняры»-unofficial website