Russian quintet Style of Five to return for concert at Bliss Hall

On this tour, the group will also perform in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Columbus.
YOUNGSTOWN -- It was just six months ago that local music fans had their first experience with Style of Five, a Russian quintet that blends traditional folk instruments with modern technology to create a unique sound.
Style of Five is back, but with a dramatically different program that will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Ford Theater at Youngstown State University, Bliss Hall, first floor.
Four of Style of Five's members are professors at Rimsky-Korsikov Conservatory in St. Petersburg; the fifth is a colleague. Natalia Schkrebko plays domra, a three-stringed instrument that resembles a mandolin. Her husband, composer Evegny Stetsyk, also plays domra as well as synthesizer. Irina Ershova plays the gusli, a 15-string instrument that is compared to a zither and resonates like a piano. Valentin Zaviriukha plays bayan, a Russian-style accordion, and Sergei Ruksa plays balalaika, a very large contra-bass.
Style of Five spent four weeks in residency last fall with cooperation of YSU's College of Fine and Performing Arts and Boardman Rotary Club. They have returned to the United States as a guest of opera singer Dmitri Hvorostovsky of Miami.
European pieces
Last time, Style of Five created a special American program, featuring country, jazz and blues songs. On this tour, the program features more pieces by European composers, but with a twist. For example, Mussorgsky's "Scherzo" -- a short, light piece played at a quick tempo -- was originally scored in the 19th century for woodwinds, horns, brass, timpani and strings. Other compositions include Debussy's "Light of the Moon" and Gorodovsky's "Memory of Esenin."
Tickets are $15 for general admission seats and $10 for students and senior citizens. To purchase, call the YSU Theater box office at (330) 941-3105.
Style of Five also will perform Sunday night in Cleveland State University Waetjen Auditorium; Monday night in Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, Pittsburgh; and May 14 at Columbus Dance Center in the state's capital.