Dulcimer of Belarus (ARC Music, 2008)
This is a fine folk music album from Belarus. Olga Mischula, internationally acclaimed virtuoso of the Belarusian dulcimer (tsïmbalï) is accompanied by the Belarusian folk group Kirmash on violin, bayan (accordion), double bass, clarinet, jaleika (wind instrument) and flute.
The sound is live and fresh, and is a half-decent substitute for travelling all the way to Minsk to hear the local music. The 16 tracks are mostly instrumental; our picks include Dedauskaja and Czardas, and the Latin-inspired Pictures of Cuba.
Author: Madanmohan Rao
Madanmohan Rao is an author and media consultant from Bangalore, and global correspondent for world music and jazz for World Music Central and Jazzuality. He has written over 15 books on media, management and culture, and is research director for YourStory Media. Madan was formerly World Music Editor at Rave magazine and RJ at WorldSpace, and can be followed on Twitter at @MadanRao.
