Junko Chiba - Ave Maria By G. Caccini

In 1886, his first public concert was held in Petersburg. A brilliant virtuoso, a subtle artist, A. contributed to the establishment of the balalaika as a conc. tool. Possessed a great conductor talent. In 1887 he organized the “Balalaika Lovers Club” (an ensemble of 8 musicians), the first concert of which took place in 1888. Since that year he toured with the ensemble throughout Russia. Performances at the World Exhibition in Paris (autumn 1889) brought A. and his "Circle of Lovers" of Europe. fame. A. was elected an honorary member Franz Academy of Fine Arts (1892). In 1896, A. expanded the composition of the ensemble (introduced domra, gusli and other ancient Russian instruments), “The Circle of Lovers” was named the Great Russian Orchestra. The repertoire of the orchestra included arranged by A. nar. songs - dance, long lyric. (before A. only ballet dancers performed on balalaika. He gave a lot of concerts (in 1908-1911 - in Germany, England, France, USA;in 1912-13 - in the cities of Russia).