Walter J Kasura Russian Folk Music Collection, 1960-1983

Organized into three series. Series 1: Published Songs, Series 2: Instrumental Music--which contains Sub-Series 1: Russian, Belorussian, and Ukrainian Folk Song Arrangements, Sub-Series 2: Nicholas Grushko Arrangements, Sub-Series 3: Emanuil Sheynkman Arrangements, and Sub-Series 4: Prima Balalaika Music-- Series 3: Personal Papers, and Series 4: American Popular Music.

Processing of this collection was done by multiple people over multiple years; therefore, there is some differences in formatting within the finding aid. Originally, the collection was organized by EC number, some of which are indicated in the finding aid. Some of the records are also cataloged in the University of Illinois Library Catalog. Box 264 was found after the collection was finished--it fits intellectually in Series 2, Sub-Series 1 between Box 90 and 91. Box 265 was also found after the collection was finished--it fits intellectually in Series 2, Sub-Series 1 between Box 113 and 114. Original EC numbers 732 and 1058 are still missing.

Walter Kasura was born in New York City to Russian emigre parents. He studied music theory and arrangement under Alexander Ivanoff, a graduate of the St. Petersburg Conservatory.  He also received further guidance from the well-known Peter Biljo, who performed regularly on the CBS radio program "Around the Samovar."  His performing experience included a small group called the Moscow Balalaika Ensemble, the professional wing of the Balalaika and Domra Society.  He played club dates, parties, on radio and television, at leading hotels in Miami, Quebec, and New York, and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In 1977 the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra of New Jersey and the North Jersey Philharmonic with Leonard Davis as balalaika soloist performed one of his arrangements.  The latter concert drew a crowd of over 5,000 people.  In 1979 Walter was awarded a grant to teach balalaika and domra seminars at the University of Illinois and to direct in concert the University of Illinois Balalaika Orchestra.

The Balalaika and Domra Association of America

http://www.bdaa.com/halloffame_walterkasura.htm

9/12/12