Alexey Arkhipovsky

The musician, officially declared "the world's best balalaika soloist" by the Russian edition of the Guinness Book of Records in 2011, developed his unique technique on his own, combining elements of traditional and guitar playing. With exquisite taste and fine irony, his compositions open the door to a mesmerizing cosmos full of poetry, crystalline sounds and dreamlike melodies. In spite of the many inspirations he draws from Russian folklore, jazz, early, classical and even electronic music, Arkhipovsky's music is never superficial. It touches the listener with deep melancholy and an almost painful beauty that is typically Russian.

Arkhipovsky's concerts are planned with dramaturgical accuracy, putting a focus on the music that effortlessly captivates the audience. As a musician who does not fit into any genre, Arkhipovsky can be seen and heard regularly at festivals of classical, world music, folklore and jazz in Russia and abroad, as well as in radio and television stations worldwide.

Alexey Arkhipovsky was born in Tuapse (1967) and began playing the balalaika at the age of nine. Trained at the Gnessin Institute in Moscow, he was awarded at the competition for folk instruments in Russia (1985) became a member of the Smolensk Folk Orchestra after completing his studies and went on tour with the State Folk Ensemble Rossiya. In 2002 Arkhipovsky started his solo career which takes him around the globe.