The members of SKAZ a quartet playing Russian Folk Instruments are dedicated to the promotion of Russian Folk music throughout the world.The members are dedicated to making serious as well as light music on stringed instruments the balalaika and domra.

For centuries the balalaika and domra have been associated with authentica and ancient Russian folk music. According to reference books on music these instruments are highly respected by the Russians and form the core of any Russians folk orchestra.

The techique and methods of balalaika-playing are only mastered through many years of dedicated studying. Since the famous Andreyev Folk Orchestra, quite a number of outstanding virtuoso balalaika exponents have come to the fore.

Consequently it is very difficult at present to impress the Russians with either a new piece of music, or the expectional perfomance thereof - artists will only merit attention if highly gifted.

Skaz is such a group and has been described as phenomenal since they have managed to capture attention by the unique sound which they originated on the balalaika and domra.

The members succeeded in the improvement of the old technique of playing - by the skilful adaption of the proven and expert methods used by exponents of the banjo and classical guitar. In this manner SKAZ could perform more expressively and also acquired an additional timbre in sound.

A direct result of their improved technique was the considerable expansion of the quartet's repertoire to include classical music and jazz - in addition to the customary and traditional Russian folk songs and dances.Their repertoire also includes folk dances and songs from other cultures from over the world as well as music which was specially composed for them.

The perfomances of the quartet always receive critical acclaim. They have extensively toured Russian and have given perfomances in USA, Brazil, Africa, Monaco (Montecarlo), Germany, Rumania, Finland, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Afghanistan, Denmark…

Russian concert quartet "SKAZ" - the author of many share records on radio and TV in Russia, and also seven solo plates and a compact disc issued in Holland. In 1994, in Budapest, together with a summary symphonic orchestra of executors from Germany, USA, Hungary, quartet "SKAZ" has written down music to a film "Ekaterina Great" (manufacture USA - GERMANY), and in 1995 - music to a film " Indiana Jones and Leon Tolstoy ". Composer Lourents Rozental' ( USA ).

The group travels regularly. No matter whether the perform in small hall, on fashionable concert stage, or on a stage at a buillding site in a distant Siberian town the quality of their music is always highly commendable and their inspiration and concentration evident.

In the program: popular classical music, original compositions and processings of Russian national melodies, melodies of the countries of the world, city romances, ragtimes…