Our summer 2025 addition to the Edit Series comes from @arashandquasar

In his own words, The song “Otdavali Molodu” (“They Gave the Young Bride Away”) is one of the first and most striking hits by the Soviet VIA (Vocal-Instrumental Ensemble) “Ariel,” arranged by Valery Yarushin based on a traditional Russian folk tune. The foundation of the piece is a traditional folk melody, but Yarushin infused it with rock intonations, which gave the ensemble its distinctive and recognizable style. Thanks to this song, Yarushin earned the respect of rock musicians, folk enthusiasts, and even academic audiences.

Why is the song important?

It’s a perfect example of the synthesis between folk motifs and modern musical forms: folklore + rock, an unconventional genre for a VIA. The song captures the spirit of its time, the 1970s, the heyday of Soviet folk rock and a period of musical boldness.

Thanks to this track, “Ariel” transcended the borders of Chelyabinsk and even the USSR, becoming recognized both across Eastern Europe and within the Soviet Union.

On their own words…

“Otdavali Molodu” is not just a hit by “Ariel” — it’s a symbol of an entire era: the beginning of the ensemble’s musical evolution, a successful example of folk-rock fusion, and a song that truly influenced listeners and the development of the Soviet music scene.