State Soloist Ensemble "Philarmonia"

The State Soloist Ensemble “Philarmonia” is made up of award-winning professional musicians who have become specialized in traditional Russian instruments such as the balalaika, domra and bayan.

The ensemble recently received the great honor of being titled as a “state ensemble” in recognition of its unique standard of ensemble playing. The majority of its members also teach at the most exclusive musical institutes in Moscow, give solo recitals and make regular appearances as soloists with major Russian symphony orchestras. Valery Elchik, the director of the ensemble, has a parallel career as composer and arranger. The close association with the Don Cossack Choir Russia and its conductor Marcel N. Verhoeff originated through the former Moscow Festival Ensemble and has now existed for over 20 years.

Valery Elchik, Balalaika
 Alexander Marchakovskiy
Sergey Lukin, Domra
Yury Sidorov, Bayan
Sergey Chuchupalov, Basbalalaika
Evgeny Rybalka, Altbalakaika