In the twentieth century however the Soviet control of Belarus limited the music of Belarus to a large extent since it thought that the nationally oriented music of Belarus is dangerous and subversive to the Soviet authority. The most extensive exposure of the people of the country was towards the music of Soviet Russia's pop music even after the independence.
Folk music at Belarus is as old as the 15th century with the skomorokhs belonging to the major profession of music. The religious chant known as znamenny is known as the earliest kind of Belarus music. It was later followed by the church music. Stary Olsa is a modern folk band which is working towards the revival of the old melodies, that are slowly getting lost. Operas later followed these musical trends in Belarus.

