“SOVIET ARMY CHORUS ELECTRIFIES” The Soviet Army Chorus and Band not only reflects a remarkable group dedication to musical excellence but communicates a verve and excitement rarely heard in choral ensembles of this kind. The range of its repertoire is astonishing. The chorus handles British wartime songs like “Tipperary” with the same exhilaration as Dunayevsky’s robust, galvanic patriot “Song of Youth”. It captures the very essence of lilting old folk songs with a gentleness and sensitivity conductor Boris Alexandrov imbues superbly into his choir and band. He is a worthy successor to the ensemble’s founder, his father Alexander Alexandrov.
A most worthwhile addition to the music lover’s sound library
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A True Classic  Rich and often powerful music. Much magnificent singing and orchestration. The effort of the chorus to sing “Tipperary” in english is, alone, well worth the price of purchase…. An awesome one-of-a-kind collection It was ok |
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4 Comments until now
Memories of the past
My parents bought the vinyl recording of the Album when it first came out and I used to listen to it a lot. It is wonderful to have it available on CD without the scratches that go along with records. They sound as brilliant and stirring as the first day I heard them. I especially love The Soldiers Chorus from the play The Decembrists.
An awkward disagreement
In the face of the approval I’ve been reading, I have to wonder it this is a problem with my CD player. The recording does not seem good at all. Bad actually. The same equipment seems to produce the ‘Lord of the Rings’ soundtrack just fine. So perhaps the referenced recording is not so good, eh?
Unique historical icon
Wonderfully atmospheric choral singing in the distinctive style of these cultural ambassadors for the Soviet regime. In their day they had a worldwide and appreciative audience as the Soviet Authorities sought to attach an attractive “human” persona to their mighty military machine.The power, precision and technical proficiancy of these (and other) performers served, whether justifiably or not, to enhance the Soviet military image.Wonderful Russian bass and tenor voices gave western ears fresh insights into ‘music of the people’ from both sides of the Iron Curtain. The propaganda effect was priceless and we are left today with a nostalgic example of the effective political use of music.
Outstanding!
I first discovered this album as a LP in the late 1960s. Granted, the recording techniques then are not as sophisticated as they are now, but the quality of the voices on this CD is excellent, and the music will send chills down your spine.
There are subsequent albums of the “Red Army” (whom I’ve seen in person) — while good, the original “Soviet” is still the best.
If you love great soloists, outstanding choral work, and stirring music, you will appreciate this album.
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