What kind of music did the IF listen to?

[michael_christian]

With an interest in both music and history. I wonder i f I could combine the two with refrence to the IF?
I wonder what kind of music they listened to? Was it purely of  Russian origin or were they (esp. the Grand Dutchesses ) influenced by the prevailing music of the U.S.?  If this has already been addressed please accept my apology. I used the search button and nothing came up.

[Margarita Markovna]

I believe that Anastasia and Maria liked ragtime- correct me if I'm wrong.

[Holly]

 Maria played "There is Cherub" on the piano. I can't think of the others. They played mostly traditional Russian songs; folk songs. Like Kalinka (which was one of the Tsars favorites). There was also a song they listened to called "Raise the Flag", and they enjoyed "God Save the Tsar".

[Margarita Markovna]

Yeah, they definitly all played instruments. I heard OTMA played piano and Alexei played balalaika...

[reashka]

Anastasia played balalaika too and I think she's good on it. I also have read somewhere that Alexandra likes classical music and is a good pianist, they said a virtuoso pianist.

[Russian_Duchess_#5]

In Nicholas and Alexandra, by Robert K. Massie, it said that Nicholas was a fan of Tchaikovsky (Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky). But, I am not sure if it was Tchaikovsky or Rachmaninoff, now that I think of it.
But, that would be classical music.
I also recall reading that gypsoes would visit the IF and play their songs for them. It was supposedly soothing and relaxing, especially for Aleksandra.
All four Grand Duchesses played the piano, but I believe that Tatiyana and Olga were the most musical.
Stanley Gibbs described Olga as, "Very musical and would improvise on the piano."
Some books referred to Tatiyana as an accomplished pianist among OTMA because of her long, pianist fingers.

Sofia

PS I thinkl that this thread belongs on the Imperial Family section, and it has been adressed before.  

[granduchessmariska]

Can you just imagine it? The imperial family listening to classical music? I think beside traditional songs and others listened to for ceremony or formal gatherings, I think classical seems the logical preference.

[Russian_Duchess_#5]

Well, actually, the Tsar being so traditional, simple, and so devoted to Russia, Russian art, then of course he would have probably preferred Russian folk songs to classical music.
I wager that Aleksandra didn't get to go to many concerts playing classical music orchestrations and such, save for perhaps during her childhood, because of her "nerves" and their complications.

Sofia

[Holly]

Classical music was the most popular at the time of the Romanovs. I think O and T were more into the piano while M, A and Alexei played the balalaika the most.

[Margarita Markovna]

March 31, 1916,p.125
"...Maria and I are playing musical instruments together now. She is playing the piano and I am playing the balalaika. It sounds good but it's better when we play with Olga..."

from the AP main site, Anastasia's letters

So they played these instruments...it doesn't mention Olga's instrument but it sounds like she was talented.