Byelorussia: Musical Folklore Of The / Var Byelorussia: Musical Folklore Of The / Var CD

Covering southern Belarus and northern Ukraine, the region of Polessye is known as "the land of legends, fairy tales, and songs." Influenced by a landscape filled with forests and meadows, the traditional music from this area often revolves around seasonal changes, harvests, and related festivities. The vast terrain also inspired the practice of open-air group singing, which can be heard throughout the album. These spirited songs are colored by polyphonic chants around instruments including the fife, violin, and, on one track, the dulcimer-rare in Polessye music. The liner notes provide full details on instruments and the cultural significance of each track.

1. Christmas Carols and New Year's Songs 2. Violin Play 3. Round 4. Dancing Tune on the Fife 5. Harvest Songs 6. Reed-Pipe Solo 7. Wedding Songs and Instrumental Tunes 8. Housewife 9. Comic Love Songs 10. Ballad 11. Poetic Song 12. Lyrical Polyphonic Song 13. Preemac 14. Dramatic Song 15. Peoples' Songs from the Time of World War II 16. Love Songs 17. Festive Songs and Dances