On the History of the Orchestra of Russian Folk Instruments at Saint Petersburg State University

Abstract

The academic year of 2023/24 marks the 70th anniversary of the Orchestra of Russian Folk Instruments at St. Petersburg State University. The precursors of the orchestra were the university solo balalaika-players in 1934–1939, one of whom was assistant professor, while two others — students. After World War II, the administration decided to boost the level of amateur activities, which corresponded to strong social demands for cultural access. A number of new clubs with professional teachers emerged within this trend in addition to students’ own initiatives. University amateur musical bands of Russian folk instruments comprised of the ensemble of button-accordionists led a Philology student V. D. Fedorov and the orchestra of four-stringed domras led by a professional musician А. I. Vasiliev. The organization of the orchestra of V. V. Andreev’s type by М. М. Dorfman, a graduate of the department of History, marked the start of a new period. The article places the formation of the orchestra in a wide historical context of the Soviet authorities’ attitudes to orchestras of Russian folk instruments, political and cultural processes, and professional discussions. The sources include primarily the materials of the newspaper “Leningrad University” and archival documents for the first time introduced into the scholarship. The most important one — М. М. Dorfman’s “The History of Orchestra of Russian Folk Instruments at Leningrad University” of 1956 — is published as appendix together with official information about the Club of amateur activities at Leningrad university in 1956. The fact of creating “The History” signified the accomplishment of the formation when all challenges had been met: the first organizational difficulties; teaching most members the basics of music; constant turnover of members; first concerts and contests. The first academic year was finishing with the orchestra having a full complement of instruments.