The State Russian Folk Orchestra N. P. Osipov (Государственный русский народный оркестр имени Н. П. Осипова) is a Russian folk music orchestra. It was founded in 1919 by the balaika player B. C. Troyanovski.
The orchestra was renamed after Nikolai Petrovich Osipov who led the orchestra from 1940. He was succeeded by his brother Dmitri Osipov from his death in 1945 to his brother's death in 1954.
The Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra is currently led by Vladimir Ponkin (Владимир Понькин) who succeeded Nikolai Kalinin (Николай Калинин). Playing only upon traditional Russian instruments, the Orchestra presents Ethnic Russian music in a style more similar to classical music.
Past soloists include:
- Nina Vysotina (Soprano),
- Anatoli Safiullin (Bass),
- Boris Nikolaev (Bass),
- Viacheslav Kobzev
Famous quotes containing the words state, russian, folk and/or orchestra:
“The state has no religion for the simple reason that it has each and everyone.”
—Franz Grillparzer (1791–1872)
“From being a patriotic myth, the Russian people have become an awful reality.”
—Leon Trotsky (1879–1940)
“An’ when the earth’s as cauld’s the mune
An’ a’ its folk are lang syne deid,
On coontless stars the Babe maun cry
An’ the Crucified maun bleed.”
—Hugh MacDiarmid (1892–1978)
““Pop” Wyman ruled here with a firm but gentle hand; no drunken man was ever served at the bar; no married man was allowed to play at the tables; across the face of the large clock was written “Please Don’t Swear,” and over the orchestra appeared the gentle admonition, “Don’t Shoot the Pianist—He’s Doing His Damndest.””
—Administration in the State of Colo, U.S. public relief program. Colorado: A Guide to the Highest State (The WPA Guide to Colorado)