New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-10
ANDREEF ON BALALA|KA
HOPES to See This instrument in
Every Home.
HOW HE DEVELOPED IT
Leader of Imperial Russian Or
chestra Gives an Odd Bit of
Musical History.
HOW HE DEVELOPED II


4 man Of middle height, black hair and
black Van Dyke beard quiet voice and
manner and gray eyes that ARE at once
tboughtful and powerful-such is NJ. Vastly
Andreeff. the leader OF the Imperial Rus
sian Balalaika Orchestra. For the last two
seasons this organization has been on tour
throughout the country, accomplishing the
apparently impossible by showing to its
audiences that an instrument OF three
strings. played as is a mandolin, can be so
manipulated as TO bring forth the most
rayishing music music possessed Of almost
Infinite graduation of tone
I, &c 10 NJ. Andreeff that the world owes
the balalaika for, though he was not its
inventor. he took II when II was a folk
instrument of the most primitive type ana
innroyed II until Il has become the instru-
ment that the Russian world has come to
know. NJ Andreen told his own story 10 a
Tribune reporter last week at luncheon
told II simply, without any attempt at sell
eloriAcation, but only with the pride man
might show in a child whom he has reared
and brought to successful maturity.
II do not want to be classed in the ranks
Of professional musical artists, SAID NJ
Andreeff. MY life work has been hard
one and a serious one and artists too often
rve only for the moment. I have looked
toward the future rather than the present,
e., the dav when the balalaika will be
universal instrument, known and loved IN
all countries. I have for II the affection OF
q father for child. for though l did not
invent II l found IL an exceedingly crude
Instrument used only by the Russian peas
ants and for ten years / worked perfect
ing II. spending almost all my fortune IN
the process.
cone thing especially I wish to impress
upon the public. The balalaika Is the IN
s-rumeut that is, of all others, the easiest
IN Iearn-far easier than either the man.
dolin or guitar. 1 will guarantee TO tram
an orchestra none Of the members OF
which have ever before seen balalalKa
uf,bir two weeks In this connection per-
hans II is not generally known that the
CoIdstream Guards, in England, have
halalaika orchestra of forty men organized
and trained in two weeks. The bandmas-
tor NJ the Coldstreams was much interee lea
in the concerts l had been giving IN Lon
don three years ago. and at my suggestion
be formed an orchestra among his musl-
clans So successful was he that other
other British regiments.
In Russia all the guard regiments have
their balalaika orchestras, and the stu
6ents Of the universities have also their
organizations. In fact, the knowledge OF
Good music has been largely increased
sr,onp Russian students through their love
for the balalaika. During our tours in
this country we have played in many col
lie and
that has come 10 US has been most enthu-
sssuc.
This is perhaps largely due to the TACT
that the American colleges all nave man
dolin and banjo clubs and that they real
tzs that so much more can be brought out
Of the balalaika than they can accom-
plish with their own instruments. Several
colleges are already forming balalaika or
cbcstras. and / see no reason why IN
few years these orchestras should not be
found I'm every college community. Inc
employees Of a pharmaceutic company IN
ST Louis have formed one of these or
ohestras and now give regular concerts
u short, I look upon my visit 10 America
almost in the way Of an evangelical tour
and I think all who have heard my orches-
ira will pardon my enthusiasm.
Il have found the American public most
appreciative and / consider that II has
hon1red me highly, yet the real success of
my work will not be in my personal sue
cess as a musician but in the triumph of
the idea TO which l have devoted my life
and fortune / feel that in the balalaika
the world has found an instrument which
is placed within the reach Of all. ANY
human being can learn 10 play II in fort
night with only two hours practice day.
This must make special appeal 10 the
poorer classes, who have neither the time
Tor the money TO learn more difficult in
struments. The increase in the output Of
playerpianOs proves how hungry the public
IS for music il can learn to play quickly
and easily. Yet all such contrivanceS must
always remain mechanical. while the bala-
laika is capable of producing the most ex-
quiSite artistic results.
Among the poor in Russia the balalaika
is most popular as they have realized
that here is an instrument evidently
suited 10 them. In short. if it becomes
UoDular with the American public its edu-
cauonal power will be ENORMOUS and will
in large measure cOunteract the evil in
nuence Of the cheap popular music of the
day"
Then VI. Andreeff turned 10 the way in
which he first became acquainted with the
balalaika.
Il was born in ST. Petersburg" he
said but l spent MY summers on my
fathers estate in the country. ! used to
20 about among the peasants a good deal
and soon became acquainted with the crude
musical instruments they used. had
studied music ever since | was four, and
at fourteen / could play on a dozen in
struments. When ! saw the balalaika 1
Immediately began learning 20 play on IT,
II was a crude affair that cost on an av-
erage about 10 cents. yet / saw at once
its possibilities. Within a week / had
learned TO the great establishment Of the
peasants, 10 play upon il as well as they
could. Then ! set TO work to improve it,
and my troubles began.
IL had great difficulty in getting violin
or mandolin makers 10 work on it, They
thought it beneath their dignity TO turn
their hands 10 such a crude machine |
was forced 90 pay them literally out OF
my own pocket whercupOn people thought
me crazy But ] persisted and at the end
OF ten years. during which / devoted my
whole attention 10 the work. / had about
exhausted my fortune.
Then suddenly one day the car who
had heard Of my sacrifices. granted me a
pension and ordered me 10 form an or
chestra / was overjoyed, but St Peters
burg stin doubted Gradually. however
the idea took hold. and with the invalu-
aOIe help Of Nicolai Fomin, / at length