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Balalaika and Piano Duo at MAC
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Balalaika and Piano Duo will perform Russian and Eastern European folk music to classical and spicy contemporary compositions at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Monroe Arts Center Gunderson Stiles Concert Hall. From left are Yulia Sydykbaeva and Yuri Shishkin. (Photo supplied)
MONROE - At 2 p.m. Sunday, Monroe Arts Center presents the magical and harmonious sound of Balalaika and Piano Duo, featuring Russian balalaika virtuoso Yuri Shishkin with piano accompaniment by Yulia Sydykbaeva.

This is the second of five performances scheduled as part of the Sunday Concert Series.

This duo brings a repertoire of music that ranges from Russian and Eastern European folk to classical and spicy contemporary compositions. The concert takes place at MAC's Gunderson Stiles Concert Hall, 1315 11th St.

Considered the national instrument of Russia, the balalaika is a three-stringed triangular instrument of various sizes, from the highest-pitched to the lowest: the piccolo balalaika, prima balalaika, secunda balalaika, alto balalaika, bass balalaika and contrabass balalaika.

Born in St. Petersburg, Yuri Shishkin began studying balalaika at age seven, starting a course of education that would lead to a major performance career in the former Soviet Union. He was selected at an early age to perform with well-known musical groups throughout Russia. After graduating from St. Petersburg Music College and St. Petersburg Rimski-Korsakov Music Conservatory, he became a soloist of the Russian Federal Orchestra "Metelitza," an orchestra of renown caliber performing world-wide. Shishkin teaches balalaika and performs in solo recitals, and he has been a soloist of known orchestras traveling on tours through Russia, Europe, and Asia. He has received numerous awards and titles from all over the world and is recognized as one of few outstanding prima balalaika players of all time.

Whether performing the music of Bach, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, or Rimsy-Korsakoff, audiences are moved by Shishkin's amazing versatility and the lilting, exhilarating sound of Balalaika and Piano Duo.

General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students 18 years of age and younger. Monroe Arts Center members may attend this concert for free. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Monroe Arts Center at 608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249, in person at the box office at 1315 11th St., or online at www.monroeartscenter.

This event is supported by Sunday Concert Series underwriters David and Julie Buchanan with additional support by Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands Inc., and Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing LLC and Big Radio. With additional support by Lee and Chris Knuteson, David and Janeen Babler, Hans and Bobbie Bernet, Mike and Marian Furgal, Deb Thompson and, in part, the Gunderson Stiles Fund for Classical Music.