Russian Roots

Slavyanka Chorus opens its second San Francisco Festival of Russian Choral Music with a selection of spiritual songs and folk songs from the ancient Russian folk tradition, one of the great wellsprings for later Silver Age Russian composers. Bringing a wealth of historical performance practice and experience, four women's folk ensembles will perform, including local Bay Area groups KITKA, Kostroma and ISKRA, and Seattle-based PAVA. KITKA (Oakland), hailed by the Los Angeles Times for their "accuracy and flair," is an all-women American ensemble inspired by the music of Eastern Europe. Now approaching its 40th season, KITKA tours frequently bringing Balkan, Slavic and Caucasian vocal traditions to audiences throughout the world.

Originally founded in Denmark in 2000, PAVA is now based in Seattle and is respected worldwide for their authentic style in the performance of Russian folk songs. A slew of accolades include a nomination for "The World Album of the Year" at the Danish World Awards (2005) and multiple high-profile, international appearances including Zeriab, the first postwar international music festival in Baghdad, Iraq.

Recently founded in February 2017 by Serbian vocal enthusiasts, ISKRA Ethno Vocal Group (San Jose) focuses on Balkan and Slavic folk music with a particular emphasis on the Serbian tradition.

Completing the evening's program will be Kostroma, part of the Bay Area non-profit organization House Kedry (Cedars) which supports linguistic and artistic traditions in households where Russian language is a part of family culture.