Krakowiak & Jew's Harp

Krakowiak is a Polish dance, known since 14th century. It was very popular in Russia in the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century among nobles as well as peasants. They made songs on this melody and danced to the garmon or balalaika. Jew's harp was very popular in Russia at the same time, it was used for joy at villages and as a accompaniment for dances as well. We tried to imagine how it might be. The source of the jew's harp version -- the melody recorded by the leader of ensemble Ulitsa, Boris Efremov, in Kostroma region. Video was made alive, without rehearsals. Jew's harps recorded in acoustic, without sound amplifying, but they sounded as loud as dancers.

Dancers: Julia Lantseva and Ekaterina Bitsova (Klimina) (Ensemble Ulitsa)
Jew's Harps (Vargans): Vladimir Markov and Irina Bogatyreva (Olkhon Gate Duo)