Old Believers: Songs of the Nekrasov Cossacks

The first recording to appear outside Russia of the a capella singing of the Nekrasov Cossacks, called Old Believers because of their religious beliefs. Like the famous Bulgarian Women's Choir, Old Believers' music has a multi-voiced texture, with intense and rich women's voices. Based on centuries-old Russian church traditions, the Old Believers' singing reveals traces of Balkan, Greek, and Turkish influences. Includes lyric songs, ballads, wedding songs, sacred music, and laments. Digitally recorded in 1989 and 1990 in Russia. Extensive notes explain the history of the group and their music. 26 tracks. "The music is highly expressive and moving." — Yearbook for Traditional Music

Track Listing

101	Po seniam, seniam (Along the passageway)	Choir from the village of Kumskaia Dolina	02:19
102	Shelkovaia v pole travushka (The silken grass in the field)	Elena Gulina and Anastasia Nikulushkina	01:55
103	Chto pri vyshnem bylo pri vysokom (Near a high mound)	Evlantii Banderovsky, Mefodii Banderovsky and Vasilii Popov	03:11
104	Soloveikia moi (My nightingale)	Anastasia Nikulushkina	03:04
105	Khoromy moi, khoromushki (The mansion, my mansion)	Anna Ramzaeva, Seraphima Babaeva, and Ekaterina Sanicheva	03:59
106	Oi, tuman, tuman (The fog)	Elena Gulina, Anastasia Nikulushkina, and Varvara Gorina	02:54
107	I krestnushka ty nasha (Oh, our godmother)	Maria Elesiutikova and Anna Ramzaeva	07:53
108	I matushka moia (Oh, mother of mine)	Anastasia Nikulushkina, Elena Gulina, and Varvara Gorina	03:35
109	Ne iz sadu (Not from a garden)	Ivan Banderovsky	02:34
110	Vo Vilone, Vilone slavnom gorode (In the city of Babylon)	Zapevala Anastasia Pushechkina	03:01
111	Kak poshel zhe nash tsar Konstantin ko zautrene (As our czar Constantine went to morning prayer)	Elene Gulina	01:44
112	Potop strashen podymalsia (The fearful flood was rising)	Semion Milushkin and Evlantii Banderovsky	01:43
113	Kak u kniazia u kniazia nashego Vladimira (At the Prince's, at our Vladimir's)	Zapevala Maria Chizhikova	02:37
114	Ne za rovniushku (Not for an equal one)	Zapevala Maria Chizhikova	02:55
115	U nashego svata (At our svat's [best man, male matchmaker, male relative in marriage])	Elena Gulina and Anastasia Nikulushkina	02:16
116	Khozhu ia khozhu po zelenoi travke (I am walking on the green grass)	Elena Gulina, Anastasia Nikulushkina, and Varvara Gorina	01:30
117	Oi da tam na gorochke (There, on the mountain)	Elena Gulina and Anastasia Nikulushkina	02:22
118	Potianite vy, vetry sil'nye (You strong winds, blow)	Choir from the village of Kumskaia Dolina	02:44
119	Excerpts recorded during plastering of a new house	Anna Ramzaeva, Elena Gulina, Seraphima Babaeva, Ekaterina Sanicheva and Varvara Gorina	04:45
120	Ei, ty zimushka (Oh you winter)	Anna Ramzaeva, Maria Elesiutikova, Maria Chizhikova	02:01
121	Zharna-zharna zharnitsa (Dawn, dawn)	Elena Gulina	00:32
122	Voh voh yarma da maschala (Turkish wedding song)	Anna Ramzaeva and Maria Elesiutikova	01:43
123	Tuku-tuku mak (Pounding poppyseeds)	Anna Ramzaeva	02:23
124	Zagoralasia kovyl' travushka (The feathergrass caught fire)	Anna Ramzaeva, Seraphima Babaeva, and Ekaterina Sanicheva	03:17
125	Volkhvy Persidskie Tsari (The Magi, the Persian kings)	Semion Milushkin	03:05
126	V chernem more (In the Black Sea)	Semion Milushkin and Evlantii Banderovsky	03:14