Don KosakenChor Russland - Moscow Festival Ensemble

Moscow Festival Ensemble

The Moscow Festival Ensemble was founded in 1989. Some of Russia's best musicians are part of the ensemble. The ensemble's repertoire consists of Russian folk-music and works of Russian and foreign composers.

In 1990 and 1991 the Moscow Festival Ensemble, led by Marcel Verhoeff, recorded two very successfull CDs. The ensemble has been permanently connected to the DonkosakenChor Russland since 1993.

Besides the concerts, TV-productions and CD-recordings, the Moscow Festival Ensemble has a very busy concert agenda. Tours through the United States, France, Portugal and other countries are planned yearly. The musicians always receive praise from both the press and audiences.

In January 1999 the Moscow Festival Ensemble together with bariton Jevegny Polikanin gave a very successfull concert in the Carnegie Hall in New York.

Valeri Eltchik
1^st Balalaika
A very talented musician, laureate of the International Concours and soloist with the Moscow Festival Ensemble, studied at the conservatory of Moscow.

Sergej Lukin
1^st Domra
Laureate of the International Concours, until recently soloist of the Orchestra for Folk Instruments, one of Russia's best Domra players. He has been connected to the Moscow Festival Ensemble since 1995.

Sergey Chuchupalov
Bass balalaika
Has a lot of experience in playing with different Folk and Jazz Ensembles. Is one of Russia's most famous bass balalaika players. Has been connected to the Moscow Festival Ensemble since 1995.

Yuri Sidorov
Bayan
Also laureate of the International Concours and teacher at the Music Academy; one of the leading bayan players in Russia. Gives solo concerts in the best music halls of Russia and Europe, and also gives “Masterclasses” in Europe. Connected to the Moscow Festival Ensemble since its founding.

Michael Gorobschov
Alto domra
Has studied at the State Institute for Music Pedagogy “Gnesin-Academie, Moscow”. Until recently soloist in the orchestra for Folk Instruments “Osipova”. Frequently gives solo concerts. Highly active artist and musical composer. Has written several works for alto domra and orchestra. Connected to the Moscow Festival Ensemble since 1995.

Konstantin Avktsentiev
Alto balalaika
Konstantin is the leader of the Moscow Festival Ensemble.
He comes from a famous musical Russian family. Konstantin's father is one of the founders of the orchestra for Folk Instruments. Konstantin Avktsentiev is a very talented musician, organizer and producer. Together with the other members of the ensemble he manages to bring the music in a unique way at a very high level of musical perfection.