Folk Instruments in Russian Classical Music

The article outlines a view on the role of folk instruments in the work of Russian composers of the 19th–21st centuries, presents works in which such instruments as the gusli, balalaika, domra, button accordion, etc. are sounded. It also briefly describes the history of their development and provides examples of the use of these instruments in works of classical genres — in operas, sonatas, symphonies and concerts. Special attention is paid to techniques for imitating the sound of gusli in the operas of M. I. Glinka and N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov. An important emphasis is placed on the activities of the Great Russian Orchestra of folk instruments by V. V. Andreev. The work touches on certain features of the work of modern Russian composers, such as A. I. Kusyakov and E. I. Podgaits, who created a significant number of works for the balalaika, domra and accordion. As a result of the analysis, the importance of Russian folk instruments for modern musical culture was revealed.