Lestvitsa Ensemble – Ikos’-prikos’ / Ансамбль Лествица – Икось-Прикось (Lestvitsa ensemble, 2024)
Lestvitsa Ensemble is a folk group firmly dedicated to studying and popularizing Russian and Eastern European folk songs, with a focus on authenticity and a willingness to experiment. They achieve this by injecting modern influences within traditional, archaic sounds.
The ensemble’s mission is to preserve and promote a love for folk traditions among younger generations, highlihting the diversity and variety of folklore in experimental forms.
The album Ikos’-Prikos’ (“Back and Forth”) features engaging songs that make traditional music accessible. It explores themes of people’s destinies, life choices, and influential experiences, including weddings, fasting, and childbirth. It reflects the cultural and traditional responses found in Bulgarian, Belorussian, Russian, and Ukrainian folk songs.
Alexey Lis on percussion, jaw harp; Vasilisa Khriashcheva on vocals; Mika Malyh on vocals; Irina Sayko on vocals; Ulia Ishchenko on vocals; Pavel Dolzhikov on guitar; and Anton Kholomiov on wind instruments.
Cover picture by Aliona Lapina.
Buy Ikos’-prikos’ / Ансамбль Лествица – Икось-Прикос.
Author: Douglas Sanders
