HISTORY OF THE STRING FOLK INSTRUMENTS DEPARTMENT
The activity of the String Folk Instruments Department of Belarusian State Academy of Music began in 1937, when a folk instruments class appeared, including several students specializing in cimbalom, bayan, domra and balalaika. The first notable success of stringed folk instruments performers from the BSSR was the victory of the cymbalists I. Zhinovich (2nd prize) and A. Ostrometsky (3rd prize), domrist N. Lysenko (3rd prize) and balalaika player G. Zhikharev (diploma) at the All-Union Competition of Folk Instruments Performers in 1939. In 1941-1945, the activity of the folk instruments class was interrupted by the war with Nazi Germany.
In 1949, the Folk Instruments Department was organized on the basis of the existing class, which was headed (1949-1963) by an outstanding virtuoso cimbalom player, founder of the Belarusian professional cimbalom school, artistic director and conductor of the State Folk Orchestra of the BSSR, Joseph Zhinovich, who was later awarded the honorary title of People’s Artist of the USSR, the academic title of Professor and the State Prize of the BSSR. After J. Zhinovich the Department was productively led by such famous musicians as Associate Professor Georgy Zhikharev (1963-1973) and Honored Artist of the BSSR, Professor Mikhail Solopov (1973-1980).
Along with J. Zhinovich, G. Zhikharev, the founder of the Belarusian professional domra and balalaika school, and E. Azarevich, who founded the Belarusian professional accordion school, stood at the origins of the Folk Instruments Department. A little later, P. Pogotsky (balalaika), a graduate of G. Zhikharev, joined the Department. Further recruitment and expansion of the Dpartment, as well as the change of generations of teachers, occurred mainly due to its most talented graduates. Thus, the work of our founders was continued by representatives of the generation of the 1930s: E. Lembovich (bayan), N. Proshko (balalaika), G. Osmolovskaya (domra). Somewhat later, the 1940s generation joined the Department: V. Chaban and T. Braginets (bayan), E. Gladkov and T. Sergeenko (cimbalom), V. Shcherbak (balalaika).
Over time, a number of instrumental classes of the Department expanded. Along with the bayan, cimbalom, domra, and balalaika classes that have existed since its foundation, an accordion class was opened in the late 1960s, a guitar class in 1977, and a mandolin class in 2005. The level of education also increased: the introduction of a qualification apprenticeship program in 1968 provided the conservatory with the training of highly qualified teachers.
By the end of the 1970s, a new generation of staff joined the Department. The number of teachers of stringed folk instruments, bayan and accordion grew. The division of the Department has become a necessity, ensuring concentration on the specifics of musical and performing activities. N. Koshelev and V. Belyshev (guitar), L. Chernyak and N. Maretsky (domra), T. Yeletskaya (cimbalom) joined the Department’s staff.
In 1980, the Folk Instruments Department was divided into the Bayan and Accordion Department (the head of the Department was Honored Artist of the BSSR, Professor N. Sevryukov) and the Stringed Folk Instruments Department, which for 42 years was headed by People’s Artist of Belarus, Professor E. Gladkov. In the 1980s, the Stringed Folk Instruments Department was joined by R. Podoinitsyna (cimbalom), V. Zhivalevsky and E. Gridyushko (guitar). In the early 1990s, M. Ilyina (balalaika) began working at the Department.
The main areas of work of the Department are teaching and educational, concert and performing, research activities. The designated range of interests of this structural unit of the Academy ensures a constant link between theory and practice and contributes to both the preservation and enhancement of the achievements of native folk instrumental culture.
Dissolution of the Soviet Union and the opening of borders contributed to the intensification of the Department’s international relations with foreign musicians. The number of students participating in international competitions and master-classes is growing exponentially. Touring life is becoming an integral part of the educational process.
At the beginning of the 21st century, P. Belsky and P. Kukhta (guitar), L. Rydlevskaya and V. Praded (cimbalom), N. Korsak (domra, mandolin) joined the Department.
Since 2022, the Stringed Folk Instruments Department has been headed by a graduate of 2009 (cimbalom class of E. Gladkov), PhD in Art History (scientific supervisor – E. Kurakina), concert musician, laureate of international competitions, V. Praded. Currently, the Department has 9 key employees and 1 part-timer. Among them, four cymbalists (E. Gladkov, R. Podoinitsyna, V. Praded, T. Sushchenya (part-time)), three guitarists (V. Zhivalevsky, E. Gridyushko, D. Shahab), two domra players (L. Chernyak, N. Lazutskaya), and one balalaika player (M. Ilyina).
The Department initiates and actively supports the holding of republican contests, festivals, conferences, the purpose of which is to preserve and develop the achievements of the stringed folk instruments school, increase the level of performing skills, arouse the interest of listeners and the musical public to the origins of national music culture. Therefore, six Republican Festivals named after G. Zhikharev have been held (latest in 2022), two Republican Open Competitions of Cimbalom Performers (latest in 2023), three Open Competitions of the of Folk Instruments Faculty (latest in 2024). In addition to intense concert activities, both students and groups of the Department, their professionalism and high level of skill are confirmed by victories at prestigious international competitions.
