Highland pipes in Russia, Ukraine, etc.

[David]

I am curious about the popularity of Highland pipes in the nations of the former Soviet Union. Players, teachers, bands.

I have had a few fleeting contacts, one Ukrainian and one Russian. One-off interested parties. I have seen a few websites seemingly bagpipe related.

Any insight ingo the Highland volynka?

Thanks in advance.

[Pip01]

Greetings to David, and to All,

Some six-ish years ago... I was asked to play... and in
full kit... for a Serbian//Korean funeral.

The music travels... is appreciated... and is played... in
many divergent places... and amongst many divergent
peoples...

Did we not have photos of a piper playing midst some
"troubles" in the Ukraine... some while ago?

I would not be surprised, at all, were there pipers lurking
about... in all of those far-flung areas and nations.

And... Welcome to the Club!! :)

Regards to All,

Pip01

[Blackadder]

I happen to know that there are some groups of pipers or at least enthusiasts on the Russian social network vk.com (ВКонтакте). They are a general group (Vol'ihnki), as well as the groups for pipe bands in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
I'm not suggesting you join VK, but you were saying you were curious if bagpipes are appreciated in Russia & Ukraine. They're out there. I don't think they have nearly the penetration into the local culture as you'd find in countries established (mostly) by British settlers, but that's to be expected, surely! ;-)

[Milly]

I sold a practice chanter to a fellow in Russia about a year ago.

[CalumII]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYg7g1N0lsw

[Blackadder]

Originally Posted by CalumII

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYg7g1N0lsw

I didn't realize "The Mason's Apron" was a Russian folk tune!

[David]

Originally Posted by CalumII

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYg7g1N0lsw

Is that a soundtrack of the pipers on the video, or added? It did not appear to be related to any fingering seen. I'm not playing the cynic--the query is genuine. The Mason's Apron was well-above casual piping or recently formed band.

[CalumII]

Originally Posted by David

Is that a soundtrack of the pipers on the video, or added?

I couldn't find it, but there is or was a full-length version of the concert online, and yes, the playing was of that standard.

They seem to keep very quiet about it, but there are some very good players in Russia.

[David]

Originally Posted by CalumII

I couldn't find it, but there is or was a full-length version of the concert online, and yes, the playing was of that standard.

They seem to keep very quiet about it, but there are some very good players in Russia.

That's a very good sound then. I'd love to know where they've been hiding. Seeding the piping scene with a few better players studying in Scotland can be effective indeed.

[CalumII]

Yep, it's a small outfit, but they're doing all the right things, it seems.

The other source of surprises will be Germany. There's a nascent and fast-growing band scene over there and I wouldn't be a tiny bit surprised to see them produce a grade one band in ten years time.