In the article main features of V. Bryusov's concept of literary ballad are disclosed. Taking into consideration Bryusov's theoretical remarks it is obvious that he distinguishes two terms: "ballade" and "ballad". However in his poetical practice these genres are not so strongly demarcated. All the poems which are identified as "ballads" or "ballades" by the author are analysed in order to discover main lines in transformation of these genres in Bryusov's works and to reveal his individual intentions.