Find the publication date for the musical work to determine whether it is in the public domain. The University of Washington Copyright Connection states any musical work by a Russian composer who died before 1943 is in the public domain, since this is before copyright laws between Russia and the United States were reconciled legally. The publication date appears on the first page of the musical score. Works within the public domain can legally be performed freely.
Determine the publisher of the musical work by finding the publisher title on the score. Most scores will also have contact information accompanying the publisher name. Indiana University Music Library states that Musica Russica and Editions Musicales Russes are the two largest publishers of Russian music.
Check with ROSPATENT, the Russian federal copyright office, to determine any special laws governing the musical work. ROSPATENT decides whether you can perform the music under fair use laws or other special rules that do not require payment to the copyright holder.
Contact the publishing company that holds the music copyright by drafting a letter of intent. This letter will contain information regarding the purpose of performing the music, the context it will be performed in, and the place and date of the performances. The publishing company may request a fee to perform the music.