Russian Cabaret: The Balalaika of Sasha Polinoff

The balalaika is the Russian stringed instrument characterized by its triangle-shaped body and three strings. It ranges from the piccolo to the contrabass in size and tone. In this recording, Sasha Polinoff plays the prima balalaika on 13 instrumental Romani songs. He is supported by an ensemble of balalaika, domra (a three-stringed Russian lute), and accordion. The music ranges from the spirited “My Heart” (Serdtse) and rousing “Karapet” (Russian Two-Step) to the soulful “Love Has Passed” (Luybov Proshla) and “Snow Flurries” (Metelitsa).

Track Listing

101	Karapet	Sasha Polinoff	01:46
102	Love Has Passed (Lyubov Proshla)	Sasha Polinoff	02:21
103	Farewell Gypsy Camp (Proschai Moy Tabor)	Sasha Polinoff	01:35
104	Allah Verde / Shamil's Prayer and Lezginka (medley)	Sasha Polinoff	05:30
105	Kazbek / Stenka Razin	Sasha Polinoff	02:15
106	In the Forest at the Front (V Lyesu Prifrontovom)	Sasha Polinoff	03:20
201	Dark Night (Nochka Tyemnaya)	Sasha Polinoff	01:59
202	Snow Flurries (Metelitsa)	Sasha Polinoff	01:11
203	Where is the Street (Gde eta ulitsa, gde elot dom)	Sasha Polinoff	01:10
204	Red Bricks / Days of Our Love (Dni Nashey Zhizni)	Sasha Polinoff	04:18
205	Street Lights (Fonariki) / Let there always be sunshine (Pust Vsegda Budyet Solntse) - (medley)	Sasha Polinoff	02:59
206	My Heart (Serdtse)	Sasha Polinoff	03:07
207	Oh, Those Dark Eyes (Akh, Eti Chorniye Glaza)	Sasha Polinoff	01:50