Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Melodiya has reissued the rock opera "Guslyar" from the repertoire of the Belarusian ensemble "Pesnyary" on vinyl. The rock opera "Guslyar," written by composer Igor Luchenok and ensemble director Vladimir Mulyavin based on the poem "Kurgan" by the classic Belarusian poet Yanka Kupala, has been reissued by the Russian label Melodiya.
According to a statement on the company's website, "Guslyar" is the ensemble's only studio-recorded take on the rock opera genre:
For "Guslyar," Pesnyary expanded their lineup, adding brass, strings, and an additional rhythm section, striving for a symphonic richness. The complex choral texture, however, was realized by the ensemble, renowned for its skillful polyphony. Folk instruments—the cymbals and zhaleika—sit alongside a Hammond organ and a Moog synthesizer; the protagonist's gusli is "portrayed" by an acoustic guitar with a flanger effect—a bold move for Soviet recording at the time. Guslyar's musical texture engages with European prog rock of the 1970s, yet remains distinctive thanks to its folkloric modal thinking, soft sonic palette, and outstanding vocals.
The record was pressed in 2026. The matrices were made from the original analog master tapes. The edition contains the full libretto in Belarusian and Russian.
The rock opera "Guslyar" was first released on vinyl as a solo album by Pesnyary in 1979.
Melodiya Records was founded in 1964 in the USSR as a state-owned company for the production, storage, and distribution of sound recordings. Recording studios were located in Moscow, Leningrad, Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, and many other cities. Melodiya stores were located in every Soviet republic. Melodiya reflected the sonic history of the past century in a wide variety of genres—from light music to classical music, from folklore to composers from all the republics that made up the former USSR. It brought together masterpieces of world art performed by outstanding Soviet artists, ensembles, orchestras, and musical theaters. Melodiya's sound library is a true cultural treasure, which is why special attention is paid to the high-quality restoration and release of archival recordings.
sb.by "Belarus Today", 4.02.2026
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