Abstract: The article studies Russian accordion in the context of socio-historical events in the Soviet Union in the 20th century. The authors focus on the regional type of accordion - a Saratov accordion, which has a specific timbre and compass and is widespread in the realm of the Middle and the Lower Volga regions. The authors analyze the historical context of the origin of the instrument, the peculiarities of its existence, artistic and expressive capabilities, and the directions of practical usage. Special attention is given to the social role of an accordion as an instrument of leisure time organization and a conductor of the government ideology. The analysis is based on the historical data, the materials of Mass Media, personal conversations, author’s archives, stories of witnesses, articles, and published materials. The article reveals socio-historical significance of an accordion and its social role in Russia in the 20s - 50s of the 20th century when an accordion was in the vanguard of popular music culture. The authors detect the main directions of realization of an artistic potential of an accordion as a popular instrument, which became widespread during the Great Patriotic War. The authors analyze various opinions on the existence of the instrument, its origin, expressive and coloristic potential. The research reveals an in depth connection between an accordion and the song genres of the late 20th century, particularly, a chastushka, and the elements of urban folklore. 

Abstract: The article studies Russian accordion in the context of socio-historical events in the Soviet Union in the 20th century. The authors focus on the regional type of accordion - a Saratov accordion, which has a specific timbre and compass and is widespread in the realm of the Middle and the Lower Volga regions. The authors analyze the historical context of the origin of the instrument, the peculiarities of its existence, artistic and expressive capabilities, and the directions of practical usage. Special attention is given to the social role of an accordion as an instrument of leisure time organization and a conductor of the government ideology. The analysis is based on the historical data, the materials of Mass Media, personal conversations, author’s archives, stories of witnesses, articles, and published materials. The article reveals socio-historical significance of an accordion and its social role in Russia in the 20s - 50s of the 20th century when an accordion was in the vanguard of popular music culture. The authors detect the main directions of realization of an artistic potential of an accordion as a popular instrument, which became widespread during the Great Patriotic War. The authors analyze various opinions on the existence of the instrument, its origin, expressive and coloristic potential. The research reveals an in depth connection between an accordion and the song genres of the late 20th century, particularly, a chastushka, and the elements of urban folklore. 

Abstract: The research object is the tradition to hold Russian folk instruments players contests in Saratov, to mark the work of one of the first Russian bayan players - I.Ya. Panitskii. The authors analyze the context in which these contests emerged, and their significance for the cultural life of the Volga region and the music life of Saratov. Special attention is given to the music and performance contests as one of the most popular types of modern artistic practices contributing to early professionalization of young musicians and development of creative talents of students at various stages of studying. The authors use the historical and culturological approaches based on systematization of facts and their assessment in the context of the regional music culture development. Contests, organized to mark the work of I.Ya.Panitskii, are a bright and authentic phenomenon of the music culture of Saratov and the Volga region. They are the most important factor of preservation of the Russian national academic art. The analysis demonstrates the presence of deep-rooted traditions of folk instrumental art and their high professional status in Saratov.