Join the University of Wisconsin Russian Folk Orchestra, under the direction of Victor Gorodinsky, and the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music in a very special concert of music from Russia that recaptures the performance legacy and mystique of John Garvey’s University of Illinois Russian Folk Orchestra which was founded in 1974.  Between 1974 and 1989 the Illinois ensemble performed frequently on campus as well as across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa, Missouri, and Connecticut. After nearly twenty years of careful development Illinois’ Russian music program was eventually emulated by the University of Wisconsin at Madison, whose program was founded in 1997 by Victor Gorodinsky.  Gorodinsky earned his master of music degree from Moscow’s Gnesin College of Music before immigrating to the United States in 1982 and enrolling as a graduate student of the University of Illinois Library School.  He eventually became a member of the Illinois Russian Folk Orchestra under Garvey’s direction, and eventually became the ensemble’s assistant director before moving to Madison.

Victor will provide a short pre-concert talk at 3:30pm to introduce the audience to the history of the Russian folk orchestra tradition in both Russia and the United States and discuss his experiences working with the legendary John Garvey.  The concert will begin at 4:00pm and after the performance audience members will have an opportunity to meet with the musicians to talk about the nature of their unique folk instruments.

Both the concert and pre-concert talk are free and open to the general public.  For further information about the April 22nd program please call 217-333-4577 or email at sousa@illinois.edu.