Terem

The Terem Quartet

Released 02 March 1992

  1. Lyrical Dance
  2. Fantasy
  3. The Legend Of The Old Mountain Man
  4. Cossack's Farewell
  5. Toccata
  6. Variations On Swan Lake
  7. Simfonia Lubova
  8. Old Carousel
  9. Two-Step Nadya
  10. Tsiganka
  11. Letnie Kanikuli
  12. Country Improvisation
  13. Valenki
  14. Barnynia

Liner notes

The Terem Quartet is unique. As classically trained musicians, their technique and expertise are astonishing. As players of traditional folk instruments, their music is startlingly original.

The group came together at the Leningrad Conservatoire in 1986 and are still very rooted in the city of Leningrad (now St Petersburg). With just one accordion, two domras (lutes) and one huge bass balalaika, the Quartet create a swelling and retreating orchestra of sound.

Full of subtleties and contradictions, their repertoire moves seamlessly from gypsy melodies to popular theme tunes to Tchaikovsky. Such an eccentric range of material is completely in tune with the humour of their live performance.

Listen

Further Listening

  • Classical

    The Terem Quartet

    Released 24 October 1994

    More dazzling reinterpretations from the strings of the St Petersburg quartet, this is an album of classical pieces arranged and performed in the unmistakable Terem style.
  • City Of Love

    Ashkhabad

    Released 09 May 1993

    Ashkhabad take their name from the capital city of their home state of Turkmenistan, formerly a part of the Soviet Union. With violin, keyboards, accordion, clarinet, saxophone and percussion, City of Love ranges from wildly romantic melodies to the vibrant folk music of their roots.

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