Since 2016 we present a part of wonderful Russian musical heritage to foreign audiences. People from different European countries have already found our performances highly satisfying. We also make videos of our concerts and upload some pieces to our YouTube channel
Our visit to Norway in 2018 started on 16th of October. We’ve had a lot of traveling during the following two weeks. Our performances took place in Gjøvik, Horten, Bergen, Ålesund and other settlements across Norway.
In Nottoden our concert was hosted in Norway’s largest stave church - Heddal Stavkirke.
We’ve had a remarkable collaboration with “Sandviken Kantori” in Bergen, led by Brita Maripuu. In the beginning of the concert they sang some Norwegian pieces, then we were invited to sing Knut Nystedt’s “Laudate”. After that Rachmaninov’s “Hail Mary” for mixed choir was conducted by the leader of “Nikolsky Ensemble” Boris Totokin. In the end of our concert members of the local choir joined us for “Kalinka”. The audience had a lot of fun and everyone was singing and clapping hands in the refrain.
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Our city
Saratov, the Russian city we come from, is situated on the shores of the Volga. One of the city’s most prominent landmarks is the 19th century neo-Gothic Conservatoire. When it was built in 1912, the Conservatoire was Russia’s third such institution (after Moscow and St. Petersburg).
Members of “Nikolsky Ensemble” are professional musicians. Most of us are Saratov State Conservatoire graduates, major in choral conducting or academic vocal. We have great traditions of choral singing kept in our “alma mater”.
Our concert
We sing a cappella. Our voices are the only instruments we use!
As a rule, the first part of our concert is devoted to Russian Orthodox Church music written by our famous classical composers since 17th century. In the second part we sing Russian folk and secular songs.
In spite of the fact that our audience cannot always understand Russian, the beauty of melodies helps to overcome language barrier. People often recognize Rachmaninov “Hail Mary” from Vespers, world-known “Volga Boatmen”, “Kalinka”, etc… Our performance displays a range of emotions and zooms-in the “Russian Soul”.
our name
The origin of the name “Nikolsky” comes from St. Nicholas male monastery choir (in Russian [Nikolsky muzhskoy monastir]). They hire professional musicians to decorate the service. Most of us met while working there.
St. Nicholas of Myra is the patron saint of travelers. Being touring musicians we do a lot of traveling. Russian adjective “Nikolsky” also includes meaning of being under patronage of St. Nicholas.
Founding member of Nikolsky Ensemble. All-Russia singing contest prize winner. Choral conductor. Was conducting everyday choir and assisting the conductor of the big choir in St. Nicholas Monastery, Saratov. About 10 years’ experience of taking part in different choral projects. (Such as the performance of “Songs of Kursk” and other pieces for choir by G. Sviridov led by Gennady Dmitryak - the Principal Conductor of the Yurlov Russian State Academic Choir).
Graduate of Saratov State Conservatoire. He has both choral conducting and music composing education. At present he also conducts a male choir and a mixed ensemble. Performed as a member of Saratov Theatre of Choral Music in many Russian and European cities. (“Carmina Burana” by C. Orff and Mozart’s “Requiem” in Spain and Sweden)
Graduate of Saratov State Conservatoire, major in choral conducting. Choirmaster of Archbishops male choir of Saratov Eparchy. Has done numerous tours across Russia and Western countries as a soloist of Saratov Theatre of Choral Music.
He was decorated with Second-Class medal of Saratov Eparchy “The Vernicle Image of the Savior” for his activities for many years within Russian Orthodox Church.
Took part in international project of Russian Orthodox music recording in collaboration with choir of PatramINST, USA conducted by V. Gorbik – principle conductor of male choir of the Moscow Metochion of St. Trinity Lavra (Grammy bid).
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