Ilya Efimov Domra KONTAKT 冬不拉

WELCOME TO ILYA EFIMOV DOMRA!

Most persons would assume that the balalaika predates the domra. In fact, the domra is known to have existed for over 1000 years; the balalaika only about 350. Musicologists have reached a clear conclusion: the domra and balalaika are two different versions of the same kind of stringed instrument, with the domra being the balalaika’s ancestor.

The domra is a Russian folk instrument, popular among sixteenth century Russian musician/jesters called “buffoons”. In 1648, by order of the king the persecution of buffoons quickly resulted in the disappearance of the domra. “Re-discovered” in 1896, it was reconstructed by master luthiers Andreev and Nalimov, and has since evolved into today’s three orchestral versions: (small, alto, bass) with a quarter tone scale.

Thereafter, the domra was immediately introduced to academic music, and as a group dormas have become an indispensable part of the Russian National Orchestra, used as a melodic base. Additionally, the domra is becoming widely accepted as a solo instrument, written into many current musical pieces and concerts.

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