Vadim Bibergan is one of the prominent Russian composers of our times. His works gained considerable fame especially among folk music performers. According to his own words, his attitude to life in general has some ‘folklore’ tint in it — ironic, a bit silly and ‘full-of-beans’ angle. This feeling is expressed in his creative trend. Some folklore features are heard in piano cycle Far and close, which was awarded with the prize at Tokio international competition of the music for piano duo. Here one could appropriately remember that Mr. Bibergan wrote a lot for piano ensemble and even performed his works together with his colleague Vadim Palmov. All his pieces without exception has some ‘street’ color, something from jester’s expression. There are program pieces like Street organ, Merry-go-round, that imply the trade-fair mood and even accompaniment but also in pieces like polka Butterfly or Menuet one can hear jester jingles distinctly. This ironic, warm and funny, ‘anti-academic‘ by author’s own words, music is addressed to the medium and senior music school pupils. “The Far Near” is the cycle for piano in four hands, re-creating the images and atmosphere of the past gone long ago, but unexpectedly proving to be so near to our time. These pieces are especially attractive for children, being quite accessible for the students of middle and higher forms of children music schools. “The Far Near” has won the prize at the Second International Contest of Compositions for Piano Duets (Tokio, 1993).Contents:Street-organ Merry-go-round Promenade The echoes of the theatre Polka “Butterfly” Minuet pizzicato March