Rainbow Quest — Season 1, Episode 24: Alexander Zelkin

Episode synopsis

A young Russian emigré living in Canada, Alexander Zelkin trades songs from all over the world with Seeger. Sometimes they sing two songs to the same melody in two different languages. Seeger discusses the use of the tune to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in different cultures. Zelkin sings "Sylvestrik," a French song, and "Oy Tumani," and Seeger sings his song "Bells of Rhymney," which is based on a Welsh poem.

About Rainbow Quest

Legendary folk musician Pete Seeger shares stories and songs with some of the folk and country music greats of the 1960s such as Johnny Cash, June Carter, Mississippi John Hurt, The Stanley Brothers and Doc Watson.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Tom Paxton, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
• E2'Leadbelly'
• E3Elizabeth Cotton, Rosa Valentin and Rafael Martinez
• E4Ruth Rubin
• E5Jean Ritchie and Bernice Reagon
• E6Malvina Reynolds and Jack Elliott
• E7Bessie Jones and Children from the Downtown Community School
• E8New Lost City Ramblers
• E9The Beers Family
• E10Herbert Manana
• E11Martha Schlamme
• E12Doc Watson, Clint Howard and Fred Price