PESNIARY (PESNYARY)

PESNIARY ( Песняры ), Russian for "Singers" was one of the most popular Soviet folk bands emerging from Minsk, Belarus in 1969 albeit starting off as Liavony (Лявоны). Initiated by the genius composer Vladimir Mulyavin, the band changed its name in 1970 to participate in a Soviet music competition with all different kinds of artists and successfully placed second. A rotating ensemble of various musicians, Mulyavin remained the only consistent member until his death in a car crash in 2003 which then found the band splintering into myriad variations adopting the original band's basic theme and mission.

Staring off as an oddball mix of traditional Belarusian folk music, Soviet Estrada, psychedelic pop and 60s beat music, the band eventually gravitated to the more challenging composition techniques heard in progressive rock with the third album however by the time PESNIARY arrived at its fifth album Гусляр (Guslar which refers to the oldest East Slavic multi-string plucked instrument and also the person who plays it), the band had achieved its highest musical sophistication by releasing a single track rock opera that was written by composer Igor Luchenok and Vladimir Mulyavin and based on the poem "Kurgan" by Yanka Kupala, the classic writer of Belarusian literature.

Like all operas this one narrates the tale of the fate of a guslar player who was invited to a wedding where a power hungry prince attempts to persuade him into performing his instrument. The guslar refuses stating that he sides with the population whom the prince oppresses and in the process the guslar is ordered to be executed (short story obviously). The tale was set to a cantata in 1960 for a mixed choir, soloists and symphonic orchestra and by 1976 Mulyavin was interested in setting the opera to rock music and nurtured it into musical reality for the next few years. In the meantime PESNIARY was one of the very few Soviet musical ensembles to tour outside of the USSR having found a successful tour of the American South in 1976.

While Гусляр (Guslar) was not considered progressive rock per se by the Soviet music authority, the influences of the Italian symphonic prog scene as well as quirky outbursts in the vein of Frank Zappa are evident throughout. All of this despite its lofty ambition was kept on the leash as a single album's worth of music at less than 37 minutes of playing time. The album was a smashing success with many claiming that it and band in general were the absolute creative peak in all of Belarusian rock and in many ways owes a lot to the dynamics played out in ambitious rock operas such as "Jesus Christ Superstar" only Гусляр (Guslar) was perfectly tailored to the Slavic audiences with rich Belarusian folk melodies fortifying lofty prog rock workouts all accompanied by a choral presence and familiar narrative.

The music remains exciting and dynamic throughout its entire playing time and really does feel like the perfect hybrid between classical composition, progressive rock excesses and traditional folk melodies. The album is quite ambitious and remains a popular relic from the Soviet era in the world of progressive rock stalwarts seeking treasures from behind the former Iron Curtain. Unlike many Western rock operas, this one delivers the perfect mix of various ingredients and never relies too heavily on the rock aspects although they are fully implemented when the mood calls for it. The seamless transition between musical styles while leaving the album feel like a cohesive whole was an amazing undertaking and it's obvious why this album is considered the peak of Belarusian music magic in many ways. It's also mercifully short for an opera and keeps your attention for the entire run. A true Soviet masterpiece.

The best song on this album is my favorite is «Perepelochka» - real prog. The title track - folk song, one of the best Muliavin's arrangements. Lyrics are sung in Belarus. The rest of the album not much prog here.

The inclusion in «Perepelochka» of so much instrument's really fleshes out the sound, and gives this effort a classic Prog feel. Guitara, flute, violin, keyboards, beautiful vocals - a delectable auditory stew - a feast for the ears of epic proportions.

Without any doubt they deserve more attention from every serious prog listener.

It's a shame, this PESNIARY classic album have not been released on CD yet.

First PESNIARY album was extremely popular in the former USSR. Sold in millions of copies, it made the band a household name. Back then, in the beginning of the 70s, even people whose interests are far from music owned this LP. Each song still is a part of PESNIARY's gold fund.

When ''Pesnyary (I)'' saw the light of day, it became clear that absolutely unique band with instantly recognisable sound was born. There is no other band like PESNIARY in the whole history of world's rock music! I must say in 1971 rock in Soviet Union was in an embrionic state and, additionally, almost forbidden (even the term 'rock group' was not used, legal bands, and PESNIARY in their number, were called 'vocal-instrumental ensembles'). Rock music in Soviet Union, in general, stood in the underground until the mid 80's. First of all PESNIARY are musicians, they were never rock rebels and, due to the work with Byelorussian folklore, they were, in comparison to underground rock bands, under lesser pressure of Soviet ideological machine (though the censorship took place from time to time).

All key points of PESNIARY's style are already evident on their first album, completely sung in Byelorussian language: memorable tunes, several lead singers with distinctive voices, unique multi- vocal harmonies, the ability to express wide spectrum of emotions, saving at the same time most delicate nuances. Muliavin's adaptations of Byelorussian folk songs are rather reinventions, in many cases he did not care of authentity, the main goal was to keep the songs' spirit. Clever arrangements deserve a special mention - never soloing for soloing, everything works to the idea of performed song.

In addition to standard rock instruments (electric and acoustic guitars, organ, bass, drums) on their first album PESNYARY used violin, flute, trumpet and hurdy gurdy. Despite obviuos 70's feel songs sound fresh even now. Sound producer of Melodiya label Alexander Shtilman made a great job here (keep in mind that Melodiya did not have then the best possible equipment and to reach desired sound producers had to be extremely inventive). He also produced ''Pesnyary II'' and later, in 1985, another great band's album ''For the Whole of the War''.

The opening ballad Ty mne vesnoyu prisnilas' (You Have Dreamed Me In The Spring) shows most of PESNIARY's trademarks. Soft melody with some almost dramatic culmination in the end, beautiful choir, short, but tasteful violin and guitar solos.

V pole verba, another folk song, starts with acapella singing, then follow Muliavin's dramatic voice and lots of contrasts between softer and heavier parts.

Oy, rano na Ivana. Again folk song, one of the best Muliavin's arrangements. Incredible vocal harmonies, powerful sound. Unbelievable!

Rushniki, written by N. Petrenko and V. Verba, as well as three folk songs, Kosil Yas' konyushinu, Skripyat moi lapti and Poydem vdol' ulicy, are uptempo rockers with catchy melodies.

Aleksandrina. One of the most beautiful songs ever composed by Vladimir Muliavin (lyrics by Petrus Brovka, famous Byelorussian poet). It is the first song with lead vocals of Leonid Bortkevich, who, then absolutely unknown, was invited by Vladimir Muliavin to join the band in 1970, not long before recording sessions. Later many PESNIARY's hits will be associated with unique voice of Bortkevich, but ''Aleksandrina'' will stay 'the first child'. Guitar solo in ''Aleksandrina'' is unforgettable.

Fast and powerful Belarus closes one of the best albums ever made in the USSR.

It's a shame, PESNIARY classic albums (except for ''Gusliar'') have not been released on CD yet. Though all songs from the first LP can be found on numerous CD-compilations, you only need to know which one to choose to get original versions. Not an easy task, because CD-reissues of PESNIARY catalogue are a complete mess, many compilations contain remakes performed by later line-ups and in different arrangements, but such information is missing in release details.

A masterpiece, but not much prog here. 4 stars.

As I already noted in GUSLIAR's review, PESNYARY is not much my cup of coffee. I appreciate their attitude and talent though. Some pieces from this one like 7-min legend- based epic "Krik Pticy" ("The Bird's Cry") are simply flawless. The others are less astonishing, but good anyway - such classics as "Belovejskaya Puscha" and "Belorussiya" are known and loved by millions of former USSR-inhabitants. Any person from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia etc can recall wonderful PESNYARY voices and songs they did. Another personal favourite - "Vologda"; I seemed to be 5 or 6 when I fell in love with this song. Very good and recommended - discover the obscured ones!

A Classical record from Soviet times. Actually it wasn't regarded as PROG in that times - it was kinda Rock-Opera. GUSLIAR has elements of Symphonic Prog, strong and obvious ethnic flavour, some jazzy arrangements and even classical-like bits. This is a Legend told by the wonderful voices of the Belarus band PESNYARY. If you're searching for something related to URIAH HEEP's choir - try this one; they sing more softly in sophisticated Folkish manner, but it is the same way beautiful and stunning. Hardly comparable (as almost everything from Russian/Soviet Prog) to anything done before, GUSLIAR is a Must for every Prog Collector, and 4 stars I give it is my personal impression - amazing, but not completely my kind of music.

Just for the record.

This is a compilation of Soviet Patriotic War songs sung by beautiful voices of PESNYARY. Nothing completely special here , only collector's interest, but a worthy one for PESNYARY completionists. As I believe that only GUSLIAR is somehow Prog , I won't recommend this one to anybody. You can try, but first of all you must FIND it and then LIKE it ;-)

Pesniary are really from Belarus, not Russia. Pesniary II is not progressive at all, but pretty well proto-prog/folk-rock/pop-psychedelic album with hard/roots-rock elements. Tracks 2, 4, 9 & 10 is adaptations of belarus folk songs, and all songs performing with solid rockish drive. Hard to find any comparison. Original LP does not included line-up, but among traditional rock instuments (electric guitar, sometime with dirty fuzz sound & wah-wah, organ, bass & drums) there are violin, flute (both had some short, but effective solos), maybe some belarus national instuments & - sic! - many complex vocal harmonies - 5-6-voice vocal parts! Sound is wild and sometimes rough, reminds me some hard-psych american bands from late 1960-es. Good album, imho, a little weaker, than the first LP.

Note: Four first Pesniary LP were identified on name of the group, without numbers (as Peter Gabriel's four first ones), numbers usually added to avoid mistakes. Pesniary II were never officially re-released on CD.