Interpreter, arranger, composer, professor at the Gnessin Institute in Moscow and conductor (Andreev Orchestra 1949-1955). Virtuoso and great teacher, he trained the greatest players of the balalaïka, he is also responsible for the arrangement of major influential works of the classical and traditional repertoire. He studied the balalaïka at the Moussorgsky academy in Leningrad followed by the conduction of an orchestra which he ponctuated with winning the laureate at a prestigious contest in 1939. He published a method for balalaïka which is still referred to today. He is regarded as the father of teaching of the balalaïka in Russia. He is the holder of the Order of Lenin, the highest distinction of the Ex-Soviet Union. He is now retired and lives in Moscow.
Bach Badinerie

Paganini-Netcheporenko Caprice

A virtuoso, and recorder of works from the traditional repertoire, he began his career at the age of 10, as a soloist in the Velikorousky orchestra under the direction of Vassili Andreev. He was the conductor of the formation which took the name of the Academic Orchestra of State Ossipov, in homage to him. It expanded with the addition of other traditional instruments, gouslis and bayan included.

Called the "Paganini of the Russian balalaïka" by the conductor Herbert von Karajan. He was born and brought up in Nijni-Novgorod, studied music at the Moussorgsky College of Music in Leningrad, then at the Gnessin Institute in Moscow in Alexandre Ilioukhine`s class. He created the first duet for balalaika and guitar which he performed on stages all over the world. Known for his temperament and his virtuosity, he continues to play on stage in spite of his advanced age. He lives in Moscow. The famous pianist Van Cliburn, on leaving a concert, exclaimed to Mr. Rojkov: "I`m lost for words to express just how much I liked your performance. Now I love the balalaïka!".
Ditel Korobeiniki

Monti Czardas

Born in Sverdlovsk, he studied at the Kiev conservatory (Ukraine) where he became teacher and soloist of Philharmonic Orchestra of Kiev. Since 1963 he is teacher at the Mussorgsky Conservatory of Ural in Ekaterinbourg (Sverdlovsk).
vidéos
Chopin Valse n°10

Schubert Sérénade

Chalov Les reproches

Kreisler Caprice viennois
    

Born in Krasnoiarsk, he was noticed at the age of 6 for his talent for improvisation on the balalaïka. He began studing the violoncello in Moscow which led to him playing in the orchestra of the Red Army in 1938, up until the point where his musician friends ask him to play the balalaika. His performance leads to him becoming the soloist in this orchestra. In 1939 he received the winning prize of the "All-Russian Competition". He made many records mainly focussing on traditional Russian folklore and toured numerous times throughout Russia and the world during his long career.
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Rodina

Ivouchka
 

He began his musical career studying the guitar in Moscow, then progressed to the balalaika with great success and founded the duet with Valery Azov (Russian concert accordeonist) on the Bayan which will result in him becoming known. The rest of his musical life will be focussed upon this duet. He wrote many arrangements for balalaika & bayan, recorded 4 well-known records, all with his musical companion Valery Azov, and carried out many tours throughout the world.

Grieg Marche des gnomes

Sibelius Valse triste

After having finished at the Gnessin Institute in Moscow in the class of Oleg Gloukhov and Pavel Netcheporenko in 1971, he was awarded the winning prize in three of the USSR`s most prestigious competitions in 1972 and 1973. A musician playing with astounding technique and faultless musical quality, he is a defender of contemporary Russian music, he was the first to record many 20th century works for balalaïka-piano, recordings these days considered as masterpieces. Alexandre Koussiakov, the Russian composor dedicates his first sonata to him and he formed a duet with bayanist and composor Viatcheslav Semionov with whom he toured internationally and made a much admired record. Today he is the director of the music Academy of Rostov-na-Donu where he continues to teach the balalaika. He plays with a Kupfer balalaika.

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Afanassiev-Trostiansky Blue lakes

Sarasate Fantasy Carmen

He begins his musical studies with the bayan (Russian concert accordion) before turning quickly towards the balalaika. In 1963 he arrives in Moscow and enters the class of Pavel Netcheporenko at the Gnessin Institute. Winner of numerous prizes, and soloist in several formations he comes into his own in the duet which he forms with his wife, Larissa Gotlieb on piano. He has an admirable technique and musical quality enabling him to address a superb repertoire from French baroque to Russian contemporary while passing through the traditional and great classical recordings. He makes several records including two as a soloist. Valery Zajiguine is behind the balalaïkas crafted by Mr Koupfer, who he convinced to launch into the stringed-instrument trade. Now he is a professor at the Gnessin Institute in Moscow and performs with his wife on many Russian and international stages.
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Daquin Le coucou

Chostakovitch Prelude do# min

He began his musical studies in Voronej before studying with Pavel Netcheporenko at the Gnessin Institute. He became prize winner of two prestigious competitions and began his career as a professional musician. He made several records, one of which in collaboration with the composer Youri Chichakov. Now he teaches in Moscow at the Academy of  Music  Schnittke where he is responsible for the department of Traditionnal Instruments.
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Troianovsky Volinka

Boudachkine Troika
  

After finishing at the Gnessin Institute in the class of Pavel Netcheporenko, he won the laureate at the first international competition of traditional Russian music, the "Kubok Severa" in 1992. An exceptional musician, he is able to brilliantly play compositions considered unplayable on the balalaika, for example, Paganini`s never ending movement. He lives in Moscow where he continues a career of made up of touring, making records and teaching at the Gnessin Institute. He plays balalaika Kupfer.
Marchakovsky Valse

Chichakov Barynia

Prize winner of two prestigious competitions, he studied at the Moussorgsky academy of the Ural in the class of Evgueny Blinov. Defender of a modern music rooted in Siberia, he continues a talented career as professor and soloist. He plays balalaika Nalimov n°88, 1901.

Vekker Concerto 2mvt

Byzov Vatalinka