Chansons et Mélodies Populaires Russes - Anton Diakov

Chansons et Mélodies Populaires Russes – Anton Diakov – Orchestre Kalinka

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Traditional: Les Bateliers de la Volga – Le Colporteur – A l’ombre du vieux chêne – Complainte du batelier – Petite Mère Volga – Ah! les commères – Ah, toi petite nuit! – Le long de la Pieterskaïa – Toi, petit bouleau – Bandoura – Boulba – Filait la troika – Doubinouchka.

Anton Diakov, Bass.
Orchestre Kalinka

THE KALINKA ORCHESTRA

The Kalinka Orchestra is probably the only ensemble of popular Russian instruments whose members have no direct or distant ties to Slavic countries. Nonetheless, the technical and musical prowess of its musicians has elevated this small group to the ranks of the finest ensembles in the Western world. The Kalinka Orchestra has performed on shows like the Hit Parade alongside artists such as Nana Mouskouri and Marcel Amont, and had the privilege of accompanying Soviet soloists on Western tours, including the virtuoso balalaika player Nicolai Prochko from Minsk.

Unlike other Russian folk ensembles in the West, Kalinka’s musicians are all professionals who have received higher-level musical training.

The domra, the Russian cousin of the mandolin, is played by Danielle Meyer, who is also a soloist in the National Orchestra of Plectrum Instruments and regularly performs with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and the Chamber Orchestra of Lausanne for mandolin parts.

The balalaika is played by Pierre Glardon, a student of Nicolai Prochko. In addition to conducting the Kalinka Orchestra, he divides his time between choral conducting, music teaching, and completing his own studies.

Yves Pointet plays the bayan (accordion) and is regarded as one of the top specialists in the instrument today. Among his many achievements is his victory at the International Competition in Lisbon in 1974.

The guitar is played by Pierre-Alain Magni, a pupil and assistant to the renowned guitar master Dagoberto Linhares.

Finally, the bass is played by Patrick Zemp, a talented student of M. Marcellin, who is currently preparing for his final certification.

ANTON DIAKOV, BASS

Anton Diakov was born as the son of a well-known Bulgarian diplomat in Sofia, Bulgaria. He studied at the Technical University in Sofia, where he earned his degree in architecture. He practiced this profession for several years while simultaneously studying singing. In remarkably short order, he developed an active singing career, winning first prizes in several competitions and becoming one of the best-known singers in Bulgaria.

He perfected his studies at the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia in Rome. In 1962, he made his opera debut and recorded his first albums, including Boris Godunov, conducted by André Cluytens, and Samson and Delilah, conducted by Georges Prêtre. He was engaged by Rudolf Bing for the 1963/64 season at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. This marked the beginning of a successful career that took him to over thirty theaters in Europe and the United States, as well as numerous music festivals and concert halls. Diakov has performed under renowned conductors such as Herbert von Karajan, Rafael Kubelik, Igor Markevitch, Nello Santi, Nino Sanzogno, Alberto Erede, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Giuseppe Patanè, Mario Rossi, Armin Jordan, Charles Dutoit, Juri Ahronowitch, Leopold Hager, Lovro von Matacic, and many others.

Since 1965, he has regularly participated in the Salzburg Music Festival. In addition to his opera career, Diakov has devoted himself to concert performances, singing and recording several oratorios in various countries. He has particularly cultivated the classical Russian lieder, making over 900 recordings for various radio stations in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Bulgaria.

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