The University of Wisconsin Russian Folk Orchestra
Victor Gorodinsky, Music Director / Founder
RFO NEWS
Check us out on Facebook!
This year's BDAA convention was a great success in Sitka, Alaska! In 2010 it will be in Minneapolis, MN, sponsored by St. Mary's Balalaika Orchestra
Click here to sign
up for our mailing list
and stay up-to-date on RFO news
The Orchestra
Welcome to the website of the UW Russian Folk Orchestra! The Orchestra, now in its 14th season, is a unique ensemble performing Russian and other East-European folk music on authentic Russian instruments, balalaikas and domras. The orchestra is directed by Victor Gorodinsky.
Read more about the people of the Russian Folk Orchestra.
The Orchestra rehearses on Tuesday nights in room 1418 Van Hise
Hall, 1220 Linden Drive (UW-Madison Campus).
The Orchestra is a proud member of the BDAA,
the Balalaika and Domra Association of America.
The Orchestra is sponsored by CREECA (Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia) at the University of Wisconsin--Madison.
The instruments
The Orchestra is made up of two groups of authentic Russian stringed instruments: balalaikas and domras. The Orchestra also uses accordions, bayans (button accordions), as well as various woodwind and percussion instruments. Read more about the instruments in Russian Folk Music.
Our instruments are repaired by Spruce Tree Music.
The music
The repertoire consists mainly of Russian and other Slavic folk songs, dances, ballads, etc. The orchestra also plays music of Russian classical composers, such as Tchaikovsky. Occasionally, selections of Western music are introduced. The orchestra conductor, Victor Gorodinsky, has written several original compositions for the ensemble.