From the Village to the Concert Hall The Music of Russia: Balalaikas and Baritones May 19, 2005 • Performance Today's series on folk and classical traditions around the world continues with two Russian performances in NPR's Studio 4A: the Trio Voronezh and celebrated baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky. The Music of Russia: Balalaikas and Baritones Audio will be available later today.
History of Western Music Nationalism in Music December 8, 2004 • The music of Mikhail Glinka earned him credit for launching Russian nationalism. But his most famous opera, "A Life for the Tsar," is filled with the music of Poland, not Russia. Musicologist Richard Taruskin explores national identity in music.
Music News Russia Anthem December 5, 2000 • NPR's Michele Kelemen reports from Moscow that Russia looks ready to bring back the Soviet national anthem - without the references to Lenin and the indestructible union of Soviet republics, of course. President Vladimir Putin says the country should keep the melody, because throwing out all symbols of the Soviet past would mean "our mothers and fathers lived in vain." The Russian parliament, or Duma, is expected to vote on the matter Friday. Former President Boris Yeltsin chose a melody by the 19th century composer Mikhail Glinka as the post-Soviet anthem, but the hymn never caught on. Lawmakers could never agree on words. Russia Anthem Only Available in Archive Formats. Real Media