"One could discover unique voice culture of Don Cossacks, high school of Russian choral art."Badische Zeitung
"Singers demonstrate impressive musical capability. They are convincing not only in ensemble, but as soloists as well."
Rhein-Sieg-Anzeiger
The choir of the Moscow Municipal Cossack Society, The Don Cossacks Chorus was founded by Victor Kuleshov in 1992 as a male chorus and soloists ensemble and became a part of the Moscow Municipal Cossacks Society.
The ensemble consists of 16 professional singers, 5 folk instrumentalists and one ballet dancer. The choir's founder and Artistic Director Victor Kuleshov is a graduate of the Moscow State Conservatory named after Tchaikovsky and is a hereditary Cossack from Transbaikalia.
The conductor of the Don Cossacks choir is Kirill
Kaminiskiy, a graduate of the Moscow Musical Institute. The folk instrument ensemble, consisting of a balalaika, bayan, bass-balalaika and percussion is headed by Artem
Belov, a winner of international competitions. Mr. Slepokurov also plays a domra.
All members of the choir are experienced professional singers. They perform at various opera houses, and with academic choruses and other musical groups. All of them are united by their common Cossack heritage as well as their desire to uncover the best examples
of Cossack musical culture.They are dedicated to renewing people's interest in
the originasl traditions and Orthodox life of the Cossacks.There were several objectives in creating the Don Cossacks
Chorus. The first one was to encourage an interest in
Russia history and culture. Second, there was a determination wish to encourage the ongoing restoration of Cossack Societies in Russia which began in
1991.After a void of more than 70 years, many Cossack military units and formations have been formed. Another reason for creating the chorus was to introduce genuine Cossack culture to foreign
audiences
The musical culture of Cossacks is part and parcel with Russian culture. That is why the repertoire of the choir, for the most part, consists of Cossack and Russian folk songs, which have been essential elements of Russian amateur and folk arts since ancient times.Cossack folk songs also depict Cossack life. Passed on orally from generation to generation, they are rich in recounting stories of workers, religious rites, military campaigns, historical events and the joy of wedding celebrations.The art of Cossack choral singing is also inseparably linked with The Orthodox Church because all Orthodox services since olden times have been accompanied by choral singing. Cossacks did not begin work without a prayer, so every concert program of the choir includes sacred music.
The Don Cossacks Choir not only maintains old traditions, but also tries to popularize their native musical culture. Along with the classical style of singing they use elements of folk intonation, and as part of a performance they sometimes add certain dance elements which mirror the historical portrait of a genuine Cossack choir. Members of the choir aim to continue the traditions of such famous Cossack choirs of Sergey Zharov and Nikolay Kostriukov.
The Don Cossacks Choir leads an active concert life in Russia, taking part in various festivals and competitions. Since its inception, the choir has given more than 600 concerts on many stages including the Grand Kremlin Palace, Concert Hall Russia, and the hall of the Church Councils of Christ the Savior Temple. Don Cossacks and Victor Kuleshov are permanent participants in the annual International Christian Art Festival Christmas Reading. Don Cossacks work was personally observed and blessed by Russian Patriarch Alexy II Since 1995 Don Cossacks Choir of Victor Kuleshov successfully cooperates with Concert Agency LANDGRAF
The Choir's foreign concert tours have been rather extensive. During the last three years alone Cossacks music has been presented to audiences in Germany, Holland, France and Belgium.
Several CDs have been released featuring a wide artistic repertoire. Currently members of the choir are working on a multi- volume album titled "Christmas on the Don." Also some of their recordings are included in a two volume collection of "Favorite Cossacks Songs." Don Cossack recordings can also be heard on national radio stations.
Most important to the singers, however, is the appreciation shown by their audiences. Wherever they appear they receive a warm welcome. For instance, in some German cities while on tour, spectators have come backstage after concerts to thank the singers for giving them such pleasure. Some have mentioned that they came to Don Cossack concerts for the 3rd or 4th time. An item in a local German newspaper said, "We were fortunate again to attend a Don Cossacks Concert headed by Victor Kuleshov. It was an incomparable pleasure. Since the death of Sergey Zharov we finally have a choir which represents the genuine art and culture of Don Cossacks..."