1. Traditional Folk Music
   Instruments: Traditional Russian music often features instruments like the balalaika (a three-stringed lute), domra (a round-bodied string instrument), garmon (a type of accordion), and gusli (a zither-like instrument).
   Vocal Music: Russian folk songs are often choral and can be categorized into several types, such as work songs, ritual songs, and laments. They are characterized by their rich harmonies and powerful vocal delivery.
   Folk Dances: Many traditional Russian songs are accompanied by dances like the kalinka and khorovod, which involve group choreography and are often performed at festivals and celebrations.

2. Classical Music
The Mighty Handful (The Five): In the 19th century, a group of composers known as The Mighty Handful (or The Five)—Mily Balakirev, Alexander Borodin, César Cui, Modest Mussorgsky, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov—sought to create a distinctly Russian style of classical music, drawing on folk themes and nationalistic elements.
Modest Mussorgsky : Known for works like "Pictures at an Exhibition" and the opera "Boris Godunov," Mussorgsky's music is known for its innovative harmony and dramatic intensity.
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Famous for compositions such as "Scheherazade" and "The Flight of the Bumblebee," Rimsky-Korsakov is celebrated for his mastery of orchestration.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Perhaps the most famous Russian composer, Tchaikovsky wrote some of the most beloved classical music, including ballets like "Swan Lake," "The Nutcracker," and "Sleeping Beauty." His symphonies, concertos, and operas, such as "Eugene Onegin," are also highly regarded.
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Known for his virtuosic piano compositions and emotive orchestral works, Rachmaninoff's music, like his Piano Concertos and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, is a staple of the classical repertoire.
Igor Stravinsky: Stravinsky's work, such as "The Firebird," "Petrushka," and "The Rite of Spring," revolutionized classical music in the early 20th century with its rhythmic complexity and innovative use of dissonance.

3. Soviet and Post-Soviet Music
   Soviet Music: During the Soviet era, music was often used as a tool for propaganda. Composers like Dmitri Shostakovich and Sergei Prokofiev navigated the complex demands of creating music that both adhered to the state's expectations and maintained artistic integrity.
   Dmitri Shostakovich: Shostakovich's symphonies, such as the Fifth Symphony and Seventh Symphony (Leningrad), are powerful reflections of the times, blending irony, pathos, and defiance.
   Sergei Prokofiev: Prokofiev composed a wide range of music, from ballets like "Romeo and Juliet" to film scores such as "Alexander Nevsky" and concert pieces like "Peter and the Wolf."
   Post-Soviet Music: After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russian music diversified rapidly. Pop and rock music became increasingly popular, with artists like Alla Pugacheva and Viktor Tsoi (of the band Kino) becoming icons. The 1990s and 2000s saw the rise of a vibrant alternative scene, with genres like electronic music and hip-hop gaining traction.

4. Contemporary Music
   Pop and Rock: Russian pop music (known as popsa) is a dominant force in the music scene, with artists like Filipp Kirkorov and Dima Bilan enjoying widespread popularity. Russian rock remains influential, with bands like Bi-2 and Mumiy Troll continuing to attract large audiences.
   Hip-Hop and Rap: Russian hip-hop has grown significantly in recent years, with artists like Oxxxymiron