'Anti-Russian sentiments' worry UK balalaika group

HandoutMembers of the Kalinka Balalaika Orchestra recently starred in Ewan McGregor's A Gentleman in Moscow television series

Britain's only balalaika orchestra is struggling for members partly because of anti-Russian sentiment within the UK, its founder has said.

Common in Eastern European folk music, balalaikas usually have three strings and look like small triangular guitars.

The Kalinka Balalaika Orchestra was established in Manchester in 1984 by Brian Hulme, a languages teacher who introduced some of his students to the instrument, which is actually part of the lute family.

"It’s become difficult at the moment because of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine," Mr Hulme said, stressing that his orchestra were "not spokespersons for Russian policy or anything like that".

Albert, who has family members in Lithuania, says he enjoys the balalaika's Eastern European links

Balalaikas have "got a such a unique sound", said Mr Hulme. "As well as playing the melody of pieces, it has a throbbing sound because it’s played with the fingers.

"You don’t just pluck the strings, you actually strike the strings."

His orchestra meets every Monday at Chorlton Central Church.

One of its younger members, Albert, said the balalaika was "really easy to get the hang of".

The 16-year-old said being part of the orchestra was a "big part of my week".

Isla Graham says she loves being able to play the balalaika

Fellow member Isla Graham said: "It’s a really unique instrument – not a lot of people know what it is, especially in the UK.

“I like being able to say that I do something different to most people."

Mr Hulme said he hoped more people would "come and have a go" and help ensure balalaika music was enjoyed for generations to come.

"Back in the 1980s the balalaika was seen as something exotic," he said. "When we did concerts we had loads of people [and] could fill the Royal Northern College of Music quite easily."

Over the years his orchestra has performed dozens of concerts, appeared at festivals, and even played for Ewan McGregor's character in this year's television series A Gentleman in Moscow.

"Oddly enough it was mostly filmed in Bolton," Mr Hulme revealed. "The Metropol Hotel in Moscow, which in the 1920s was dripping with opulence and luxury, was filmed in a Methodist hall in Bolton.

"How they transformed it all is beyond me!"

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