Moscow Nights

Moscow Nights is an exciting, versatile ensemble of world-recognized, prize-winning musicians from Russia. They have already established themselves as one of the fastest rising folk groups in the United States. These classically trained artists first took Western Europe by storm and now have brought their dazzling, toe-tapping music to North America. Led by Vitaliy Bezrodnov on Bayan Accordion, the group was initially formed under his direction in Kaluga, Russia in the late 1980’s where Mr. Bezrodnov attended Kaluga Music Conservatory. After completing his conservatory studies, he successfully reorganized the group in the United States in 1996. Initially touring the Western states and the Hawaiian Islands, the ensemble met with great acclaim due to their considerable talents and natural exuberance. Their venues have been as varied as First Night New Year’s Eve Celebrations to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. They also initiated a charity program entitled Music in Mission and Rotary Children’s Fund which raises money for the orphans of Russia. Valentin Zaviriukha - (Bayan) was born in Ukraine and began to study the accordion under the direction of his father. At the young age of seven, Valentin gave his first public solo concert. Specializing in accordion, he graduated from the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1990 (Professor Dmitriev, Professor Govorushko), followed by post-graduate work. Winner of many international competitions and the prestigious “Grand Prix of the International Competition” in 1994, Mr. Zaviriukha currently teaches Bayan at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Prima balalaikist Shishkin Yuri, originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, graduated from the St. Petersburg Music conservatory (Professor Senchurov). Mr. Shishkin’s considerable talent is well known throughout Europe, and. he is the winner of many competitions through the Europe and Asia. With his finesse, virtuosity, and charming personality, Mr. Yuri is a welcome addition to Moscow Nights. Most recently, Sergei Ruksha joins the ensemble on contra-bass balalaika. Hailing from a very professional, musical family, Mr. Ruksha was immediately accepted into the St. Petersburg Conservatory. In addition to playing contra-bass, he is an accomplished conductor, and he has toured the world as part of other ensembles and orchestras. The music of Moscow Nights is predominantly authentic, traditional Russian folk music. During his conservatory years, Mr. Bezrodnov spent considerable time traveling deep into the Russian countryside, interviewing the eldest members of each village in an effort to preserve and resurrect pre-revolution Russian culture. Their current program incorporates obscure folk instruments such as percussion “Treshotki” and birch-bark whistles. Thus, Moscow Nights is able to bring to audiences a unique program of a culture that had almost lost its original identity. Moscow Nights’ concerts offer audiences an entertaining glimpse into Old Russia through music, song, and dance. This helps bridge a three-quarter century of isolation between our countries. The dazzling, toe-tapping program is broad and varied with something to appeal to everyone – from youngest to oldest and everyone in between. Moscow Nights is affiliated with the OAPN, Arts Northwest, IPAY, NACA, Arts-in-Education, Balalaika & Domra Association of America, APCA, Arts Midwest, Western Alliance, United Arts and Folk Alliance.