All the Russias

Beautifully crafted, informative documentary series exploring the musical history of Russia in a five-part series. Beginning with ancient chants and folk music, it stretches through to radical contemporary composers like Schnittke and Gubaidulina. Maestro Valery Gergiev presents excerpts from orchestral and vocal works by Mussorgsky, Borodin, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich with the Kirov Mariinski Theatre Ballet and Opera Companies. Part 1: Folk Singer "THE LITTLE BIRCH TREE" filmed largely in remote countryside is an evocation of Russia's rural heart. Part 2: Russian Priest "HOLY MOTHER RUSSIA", how has faith and religion influenced music in this pagan and Christian country? Part 3: "DEVILS", What has been the effect of Russia's cycles of tyranny and violence on its musical heritage? Part 4: Dancer "ONCE UPON A TIME", a look at an archetypal form of Russian culture, the fairy tale. Part 5: Camel and Rider "LOOKING EAST, LOOKING WEST", the cultural and musical impact of Russia's relationship with her neighbors.