Episode Details

Byliny — Sadko · Volga and Mikula

A Novgorod gusli-player whose catch turns to gold descends to play before the Sea Tsar beneath the waves — and a young prince with all his retinue cannot lift the plough that one ploughman raises with a single hand.

Sadko (Садко) and Volga and Mikula (Вольга и Микула) — byliny of old Rus'. Sadko is read from the Kirsha Danilov collection, the two linked songs "Sadko the Rich Guest" and "Sadko's Ship Stood Still on the Sea"; Volga and Mikula is read from A. F. Gilferding's Onega recordings of 1871, No. 156 — in new English translations made for this show, read aloud over a gentle instrumental bed.

Byliny.

Intermission: "La Rive des Esprits 2" — instrumental.

KacheliTV — Russian classics, read aloud.