It has long become the custom to use the term "Russian Rock" while having in mind creativity of certain rock musicians singing in the Russian language. Here we are mentioning a number of well-known Russian bands, which can personify the notion of Russian rock.

Russian national composer school acquired its individual shape rather late, only by the mid 19th century. However, once getting mature Russian music rushes into the world music arena.

Speaking about the Russian music of the 20th century it can hardly be claimed genuinely Russian: one can feel certain interchange of influences with the West in it, just like in music of nowadays. Nevertheless, peculiar Russian features are revealed in Russian music, and that is probably what we might be proud of.

Freedom of speech in Russia, as well as in other countries has always encountered obstacles conditioned by social dictatorship or conventional morality reigning during certain epochs. It can be said that Author's Song was originated by solitary rebels - subtle and honest singers, who in the teeth of anything strived to surmount the oppressive order of the establishment and the time itself and sing one's free soul with an open heart.

Russian opera is on a par with Italian, German and French operas in terms of their worldwide significance. This is mainly due to the range of operas created in the second half of the 19th century and certain operas of the 20th century.

Rock-n-roll came to the Soviet Union after the World Festival of Youth and Students in 1957. In the early 1960s rock music here was underground, remaining an aesthetic dessert for advanced music gourmets that established personal contacts with the West and had an opportunity to get records of American rhythm-and-blues and British big-beat - mainly those of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

Strange as it may seem, the ensemble of throat singing from Tuva republic appears even more popular abroad than in Russia.