Ансамбль александрова руководство ансамбля

Alexandrov Ensemble
The Alexandrov Choir with Dance Ensemble, Warsaw 2009
Background information
Also known as	Red Army Choir A. V. Alexandrov Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army Red Army Song Ensemble of the M. V. Frunze Red Army Central House Red-Bannered Red Army Song and Dance Ensemble of the USSR A. V. Alexandrov Twice Red-bannered and Red-starred Song and Dance Ensemble of the Soviet Army A. V. Alexandrov Twice Red-bannered and Red-starred Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Soviet Army
Genres	Classical, folk tunes, hymns, operatic arias, popular music
Years active	1928–present
Members	Conductor Gennadiy Sachenyuk [ru]
Past members	Valery Khalilov, and 63 other members
Website	redarmychoir.com

The Alexandrov Ensemble (Russian: Ансамбль Александрова, tr. Ansambl’ Aleksandrova; commonly known as the Red Army Choir^[1] in the West) is an official army choir of the Russian armed forces. Founded during the Soviet era, the ensemble consists of a male choir, an orchestra, and a dance ensemble.

The Ensemble has entertained audiences both in Russia and throughout the world, performing a range of music including folk tunes, hymns, operatic arias and popular music. The group’s repertoire has included The Volga Boatmen’s Song, Katyusha, Kalinka, and Ave Maria.

It is named for its first director, Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov (1883–1946). Its formal name since 1998 has been A. V. Alexandrov Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army (Russian: Академи́ческий анса́мбль пе́сни и пля́ски Росси́йской А́рмии и́мени А. В. Алекса́ндрова, tr. Akademíchesky ansámbl′ pésni i plyáski Rossýskoy Ármii ímeni A. V. Aleksándrova),^[2] shortened to Academic Ensemble (Russian: Академи́ческий анса́мбль, tr. Akademíchesky ansámbl′)^[2] on second reference.

On 25 December 2016, its artistic director, Valery Khalilov, and 63 other members of the Ensemble were killed in the Russian Defence Ministry aircraft crash of a 1983 Tupolev Tu-154 into the Black Sea just after takeoff from the southern resort city of Sochi, Russia.^[1] The Red Army Choir singers and dancers were en route to Syria to entertain Russian troops there for Orthodox Christmas celebrations.^[3]

Name[edit]

At the establishment, in 1928, the choir was named Red Army Song Ensemble of the M. V. Frunze Red Army Central House (Russian: Анса́мбль красноарме́йской пе́сни Центра́льного до́ма Кра́сной А́рмии и́мени М. В. Фру́нзе, tr. Ansámbl′ krasnoarméyskoy pésni Tsentrál′nogo dóma Krásnoy Ármii ímeni M. V. Frúnze). In 1935, it was renamed Red-Bannered Red Army Song and Dance Ensemble of the USSR (Russian: Краснознамённый анса́мбль красноарме́йской пе́сни и пля́ски СССР, tr. Krasnozamyónny ansámbl′ krasnoarméyskoy pésni i plyáski SSSR).

In 1949 the ensemble was officially named the A. V. Alexandrov Twice Red-bannered and Red-starred Song and Dance Ensemble of the Soviet Army (Дважды Краснознамённый ордена Красной Звезды ансамбль песни и пляски Советской Армии имени А. В. Александрова Russian: Два́жды Краснознамённый о́рдена Кра́сной Звезды́ анса́мбль пе́сни и пля́ски Сове́тской А́рмии и́мени А. В. Алекса́ндрова, tr. Dvázhdy Krasnoznamyonny órdena Krásnoy Zvezdý ansámbl′ pésni i plyáski Sovétskoy Ármii ímeni A. V. Aleksándrova). In 1978 the word «academic» was added to the title (A. V. Alexandrov Twice Red-bannered and Red-starred Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Soviet Army). After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the ensemble received its present name in 1998.

History[edit]

Early years[edit]

Born into a peasant family, Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov became the first artistic director of the ensemble, choirmaster, conductor, teacher and the public figure who wrote the music to the State Anthem of the Soviet Union.^[4] He came from a musical background of hymns and folk songs, could play the viola and had perfect pitch, so he sang in the church choir and performed at festivals. He was heard singing at the village school by PA Zalivuhin, a soloist in the choir at Kazan Cathedral, St. Petersburg. Zalivuhin persuaded Alexandrov’s parents to let the child go to St Petersburg to learn music. In 1898, the young peasant boy became a pupil of the Saint Petersburg Court Chapel.^[4]

There are two recorded histories of the ensemble: possibly separate elements of the same history. The first says that the initiator of the ensemble was Felix Nikolaevich Danilovich, a theatre director. The first director of the ensemble was chosen from three of Moscow’s conductors: Danilin, Chesnokov and Alexandrov. Seen in isolation this would signify that A. V. Alexandrov was not the creator of the ensemble. In this version the first troupe is named as follows. Singers: Tkachenko, Zyukov, Samarin, Rozanov, Koltypin, Tolskov, Golyaev, Charov. Dancers: Maximov, Svetlov. Bayanist: Surdin.^[5][specify]

The second version says that the ensemble was formed out of the Frunze Red Army Central House in 1928. There is also a story that Stalin then asked Alexandrov to relocate the choir to Moscow.^[4]

Development[edit]

During World War II, the ensemble gave over 1500 performances at both Soviet fronts, entertaining troops about to go into battle, at gun emplacements, airfields, and in hospitals.^{[4][6][needs update][7][8][needs update][9]}

Under Boris Alexandrovich Alexandrov[edit]

Following the death of Alexander Alexandrov, the ensemble was taken over by his son, Boris Alexandrovich Alexandrov. Under his leadership, the ensemble gained fame outside the Soviet Union, making extensive tours worldwide. Boris Alexandrov retired in 1987, and was succeeded by People’s Artist of Russia Igor Agafonnikov the same year,^[4] with Anatoly Maltsev as the ensemble chief. He retired as the principal conductor in 1994; he died that year and was buried in Moscow at the Novodevichy Cemetery.^[10]

Under B. A. Alexandrov, the ensemble was highly disciplined. Boris’s party trick was to leave the stage and allow the ensemble to perform «En Route» alone. Members were positioned so that they could not all watch one orchestral leader, and this appeared to be a trick, but there was no trick at all. Leonid Kharitonov remembers:

The Ensemble members were so disciplined and experienced that they could feel the rhythm simultaneously and could sing and play together automatically, without the conductor… In Canada during one concert Alexandrov left the Ensemble to perform alone for half an hour.^{[11][specify]}

Major Vladimir Alexandrov (1910–1978), brother of Boris Alexandrov, also composed for the ensemble.^[12] He served as Orchestral Director and Conductor.^[13] Vladimir Gordeev was the principal conductor on the 1988 UK tour.^[14]

1948 Berlin Peace Concert[edit]

In 1948 much of Berlin was still ruined after World War II, and the city was divided into four occupation zones, controlled by the USSR, France, the UK and the United States. This was before the Berlin Wall was built, and it was still possible to travel between zones. An American officer suggested a concert in the Gendarmenmarkt (in the Soviet zone at the time), and the French zone commander supported the suggestion. The musicians were to be provided by the USSR, and the Alexandrov Ensemble was chosen. A temporary stage was set up in the square, with flowers all along the front. 30,000 people came to stand and watch for three hours. In 1994, towards the end of his life, Boris Alexandrov said:

«The visit to Germany was unforgettable. It is dominant in the history of the ensemble. It was necessary to make a new creative leap – from wartime military music to postwar relaxing harmony. It was important, and the transition had to be managed on many fronts, including getting the Ensemble back into its original pre-war role, performing the classics and singing folk songs. Before the war the Ensemble had 200 professional singers; following the war it was down to 60.»^[15]

A previous tour to East Germany had been cancelled due to the sudden death of Alexander Alexandrov in 1946 in Potsdam, when in his bed was found an annotated copy of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, showing that A. Alexandrov had been preparing the final chorus for a performance. Now Boris, his son, was ready to follow his father’s plan. The 1948 peace concert was to consist of German opera extracts and Russian folk songs (Nightingales, Zemlyanka and Roads); and after an intervention by the tenor Victor Nikitin, some German folk songs were also included. The people joined in, singing Heidenröslein, and Nikitin sang Kalinka three times in a row. The concert was very successful, and very moving.^{[16]
[17][18]} A sound recording of the concert was made, and pressed in 1985 under the Radio DDR 1 label. This is listed on the Alexandrov Ensemble discography page.

However the Berlin Peace Concert did not happen in isolation. It was part of a series of punishing yearly tours to war-torn areas. The main tour season during and just after World War II appears to have run from June to October – perhaps because the large troupe usually had to perform outdoors, to accommodate large audiences. The August 1948 Berlin concert occurred two-thirds of the way through a tour to (20 June to 18 July) Prague, Most, Brno, Bratislava, Ostrava, Žilina and Košice in Czechoslovakia; then apparently without a break (18 July to 10 October) Dresden, Weimar, Magdeburg, Stendal, Schwerin, Potsdam, Berlin, Rathenow, Leipzig, Halle, Lane, Erfurt, Chemnitz, Frankfurt an der Oder and Schwarzenberg in Germany.^[19][20]

After 1991[edit]

Today, the ensemble is led by Honoured Artist of Russia Vyacheslav Korobko, who has been leading it since 2003.^[4]

Until 1969, the standard uniform for the ensemble choir, soloists and orchestra was the tunic and riding breeches. On 1 January 1970, this was changed to dress uniform,^{[21][specify]} and there have been further variations to the dress uniform as used by the ensemble since 1970.^{[citation needed]}

Eurovision Song Contest 2009[edit]

In 2009, The Aleksandrov Red Army Choir took part in the Eurovision Song Contest when the contest was hosted in Moscow as part of a collaboration during the First Semi Final, as they get joined by 2003 Representatives t.A.T.u who performed «Not Gonna Get Us» as the final portion of the interval act.

2016 plane crash[edit]

On 25 December 2016, a Russian Defence Ministry Tupolev Tu-154 carrying 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble Choir went down 1.5 km (0.93 mi) off the coast of Sochi, Russia while en route to Latakia, Syria for a Christmas celebration with the troops deployed at Khmeimim military base.^{[citation needed]} The plane crashed with no survivors.

After 5 weeks, the choir was reformed anew in time for Defender of the Fatherland Day celebrations on 18 February 2017.^{[citation needed]} That first concert in weeks marks also the birth of a new era for the Ensemble, with its first international tour following the crash with concerts not just in Russia but also in select European countries. Most of the new members joined through auditions held on 15 and 27 January 2017 by the Ministry of Defense of Russia. Since June 7, 2016, Colonel Gennadiy Sachenyuk [ru] became Artistic Director then main conductor and Head of the Ensemble since March 24, 2017.^[22]

2018 90th Anniversary[edit]

On 12 October 2018, the Ensemble celebrated the 90th anniversary of its foundation at a special event at the Bolshoi Theatre.^[23] Following this event, the leader of the Ensemble Colonel Gennadiy Sachenyuk announced a worldwide tour.^[24] The Ensemble performed concerts produced by Thierry Wolf in various countries including France, Switzerland, Belgium, Serbia, the Czech Republic and China.^[25] In December 2019, they celebrated Christmas in Montreal during a week of seven concerts at La Maison Symphonique.^[26]

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine[edit]

Following the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the tour Alexandrov Ensemble was supposed to have in the Czech Republic has been canceled,^[27] while individual members of the choir have faced disqualifications from competitions such as Operalia.^[28]

Composition[edit]

Soloists[edit]

Most notable soloists:

• Evgeny Belyaev
• Victor Ivanovich Nikitin
• Leonid Kharitonov
• Mark Reizen
• Georgi Pavlovich Vinogradov
• Vadim Anayev
• Ivan Bukreev
• V. Chetverikov

Chorus[edit]

Current members of the choir are listed here.^[29]
The choir consists mainly of vocal sections of tenor, baritone, and bass. In some of the pieces they perform, these sections are divided into as many as eight different vocal lines. From the early 1950s until at least 1965 a typical full division (which varied from song to song) was as follows: (1) countertenors; (2) first tenors; (3) second tenors; (4) baritones; (5) first bass; (6) second bass; (7) basso profundos.^[30]

Orchestra[edit]

The orchestra, in what became a typical composition for later generations of military ensembles in the Soviet Union, has a mixed composition of Russian traditional instruments and western instruments, including the balalaika, the domra, the bayan, the double bass, woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments. A great guest balalaika player was Boris Stepanovich Feoktistov (Борис Степанович Феоктистов) (1910–1988). In the West his most famous recording is Kamarinskaya (1963).^{[31]
[32][33]}
A. Molostov is the trumpet soloist in «Dark Eyes» in vintage recordings.^[34]
The bayan-player Victor Gridin is a past member of the orchestra.^[35]

Dancers[edit]

Among the dances staged by the ensemble are Zaparozhtsi Dance, Cossack’s Cavalry Dance, Festive March, Dance of the Cossacks, Soldier’s Dance, and Sailor’s Dance. Some of these are performed by mixed dancers, while others, such as Cossack’s Cavalry Dance, are performed by male dancers only.

The ballet is under the direction of Lev Nikolaevich Kulikov National Artist of Russia, the main ballet master, and maintains the heights of choreographic art with honour. The priority in its repertoire is taken by the military compositions: Matroskaya barynya, Kazachiya cavalry plyaska, Festive march, Invitation to dance and others. The ballet performs a lot of Russian folk dances. The classical repertoire contains Poloveckie plyasky from the opera Prince Igor written by Alexander Borodin. This is from our dance classics, but we always update the dance repertoire. (Leonid Ivanovich Malev, current Director of the Ensemble, interviewed by Russia Beyond the Headlines 1 Dec 2008)^[36]

Current line-up[edit]

The artistic director was Valery Khalilov but he, and 63 other members of the Ensemble, were killed in an aircraft crash on 25 December 2016. The chief choreographer is People’s Artist of Russia L. Kulikov; the chief administrator is Honoured Artist of Russia VG Kadin, the choreographer and coach is the Honoured Artist of Russia V. Ermolin; head dresser is Honoured Worker of Culture A. Kormilitsyn; soloists are VI Shtefutsa and EM Labkovsky; with SV Ivanov, PD Bogachev, VP Maystruk, AA Gvozdetsky, BM Mizyuk: all Honoured Artist of Russia.^[4]

In the choir are YA Lysenko, Y. Shtrunov, IM Pirogov, IS Sobolev, IF Volkov, OV Filimonov, AN Savitsky, VA Nagorny, VP Kokarev, AA Hristachev, JN Deynekin, VM Bolonenko, VN Antonov, AN Stritenko, AA Toschev: all Honoured Artist of Russia; and VS Buzlov, SP Lapik, VF Orthodox, GU Razgasimov, V. Chekin, MD Mochalina.^[4]

In the orchestra are AA Mogulkin, Y. Savkin, MG Chervov, PD Shchennikov, NI Diakov, AI Egorov, VM Predelin: all Honoured Artist of Russia. Vocal coaches are People’s Artist of Russia, laureate of competitions, MI Glinka and PI Tchaikovsky, Professor KP Lisovsky. The Principal Concertmaster is Honoured Artist of Russia V. Brodsky.^[4]

In the ballet are GD Pavlyuchenko, IV Konygina, P.U. Khmelnitski: all Honoured Artist of Russia.
In 2019, the Ensemble touring all over the world with famous soloist as Valery Gavva ^[37] or Vadim Ananeev^[38] but also young soloists such as Alexander Kruze or Maxim Maklakov,former soloit of Kraznodar Opera ^[39] or very young talent such as Sergey Kuznetsov.^[40] Under the direction of conductor Gennadiy Sachenyuk^[41]

Composers and directors[edit]

Directors of the Ensemble and orchestra, and Assistant Conductors[edit]

• 1928–1946 — Major General Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov, People’s Artist of the Soviet Union, founding Artistic Director and conductor of the Ensemble, awarded the Stalin Prize, composed the State Anthem of the Soviet Union and various other songs for the ensemble
• 1946–1987 — Major General Boris Alexandrovich Alexandrov, Hero of Socialist Labor, People’s Artist of the Soviet Union, awarded both the Lenin Prize and the Stalin Prize, son of the founder, composer and led the ensemble on a number of national and international engagements
• 1987–1992 — Professor Colonel Anatoly Maltsev, People’s Artist of Russia, led the Ensemble through the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the armed forces, served as Assistant Conductor until 1987
• 1992–1993 — Colonel Igor Germanovich Agafonnikov (until 1992 conductor and Artistic Director for the orchestra, also served as deputy and relief conductor)
• 1993–2002 — Colonel Dmitry Vasilyevich Somov
• 1994–2002 — Colonel Victor A. Fedorov, Choir Master and relief conductor
• 2003–2016 — Colonel Leonid Malev, Honoured Artist and Honoured Cultural Worker, responsible for the choir’s renewed international tours including a memorable concert at the Vatican in 2004
• 2008–2012 — Prof. Colonel Igor Raevskiy, People’s Artist of Russia, Honoured Artist of Belarus, awarded the State Prize of Czechoslovakia
• 2012–2016, 2017–present — Colonel Gennady Ksenafontovich Sachenyuk, Honoured Cultural Worker of Russia, current Artistic Director, Principal Conductor and Head of the Ensemble
• 2016 (May–December) — Prof. Lieutenant General Valery Khalilov, People’s Artist of Russia, highest-ranking officer to serve as Artistic Director
• Second conductor, Lieutenant Colonel Nikolay Kirillov, People’s Artist of Russia, Chief Conductor and assistant director of the ensemble
• Choirmaster- Sergey Sokolov.
• Present days — 13 September 2019, Gennadiy Sachenyuk [ru], nicknamed the Maestro, Conductor and Director of the Ensemble since 2016, was honored with the highest level medal for Russian artist.^[42]

Composers and assistant directors[edit]

• Kostiantyn Dankevych (1905–1984): a Ukrainian who was director of Songs and Dance of the Red Army Choir in Tbilisi, and wrote Poem of Ukraine.^[43]
• Lev Knipper (1898–1974) who composed Polyushko Pole, and Viktor Gusev (1909–1944) who wrote the lyrics.
• Pavlo Virsky who was artistic director of the Alexandrov Ensemble dancers from 1942, for many years.
• Samuel Pokrass (1897–1939) who wrote White Army, Black Baron or Red Army is Strongest; lyrics by P. Grigoriev.

The repertoire[edit]

In 2006 and 2007, in Moscow and in Vladikavkaz, Grozny, the ensemble performed a New Year fairy tale show for children, Ivan the Good, Ivan the Brave, about a soldier helping to save New Year’s Day.^[36]

In 2008, the 80th anniversary of the ensemble, director Leonid Malev said:

Of course everything depends on the repertoire which is quite large – more than two thousand works. Depending on the concert we choose a special repertoire. We have a rule that we try not to break. In any country we sing 2–3 songs in the native language of the people who live there. As a rule it helps to find a rapport with, and the appreciation of, the audience. And for us it is some kind of musical gift, to honour the host country and its people. For instance in Canada when we sang the National Anthem of Russia people stood up to show respect to our country, and when we finished we sang their country’s anthem «O Canada».

A million people in our country and abroad like songs like «Kalinka», «Katyusha», «Smuglyanka» and the other songs of the military years as well as «The Day of the Victory», «Dark Eyes», «Vecherny zvon» and «Podmoskovnye vechera». All these songs are known because of the Alexandrov folk song and dance company and people want to hear these songs at every concert. They are not just part of our history; they are great masterpieces. It is interesting that «Svyaschennaya Voyna», written by Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov in 1941, helped Soviet soldiers to protect their Motherland and is still popular in Slovakia, Poland and Bulgaria. Those audiences listen to it standing up and it touches their hearts and souls.

For our concerts we search for new musical works because you can’t live only in the past. But to tell you the truth it’s impossible to imagine our concerts without works of Russian and West-European classical music (Beethoven, Bach, Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky), they are part of human history. But our repertoire contains not only songs of the military years and folk songs, arias from operas, songs of the world and spiritual music but also new songs such as Iliya Reznik’s «To Serve Russia», and those written by Eduard Hanka, Kim Breytburg, Sergey Sashin and other modern composers and poets.
—Director Leonid Ivanovich Malev, 1 December 2008
^[36]

The Children’s Choir School[edit]

The Alexandrov children’s choir school was founded in 2007. Malev said about the school:

It’s not a secret that the more you work with children, the greater their prospect of achievement in society. We approached the Ministry of Defence with an appeal to organize this choir and it was approved. October 1st 2007 was the opening day of the Aleksandrovcy creative school for musical and aesthetic education for children. This became an important event in the year of the Ensemble’s 80th anniversary.
The first night of the boys’ Aleksandrovcy Choir on December 26th at the Cadets’ Gold Epaulette Ball went like clockwork. After that night they participated in many concerts. The latest was on Poklonnaya Hill in memory of the Beslan tragedy, as part of City Day on the 3rd and 7th of September. It should be mentioned that we have an excellent director of the school Nina Anatolievna Putilina who puts all her soul into raising this worthy generation.
We do a lot in order to raise the new generation with regard to physical, spiritual and moral health. Here children begin at the beginning of vocal music and literary speaking; they absorb the best practice of their teachers.
The children’s choir has become an integral part of the Ensemble’s life and takes part in its important concerts. We plan to have tours together.^[36]

Films[edit]

The ensemble under the direction of Boris Alexandrov can be heard singing It’s a Long Way to Tipperary in the 1981 film Das Boot. Members of the ensemble are seen performing The Internationale in New York’s Grand Central Station in Peter Miller’s 2000 documentary The Internationale. Several films have been made of the ensemble’s performances: see Alexandrov Ensemble discography.

Awards for the ensemble[edit]

• For global recognition of high art: The Global Team Award
• From the French Academy of Records, for the best record: Gold Disk (1961)
• From the French company Chant Du Monde, for record sales: Gold disk (1964)
• Order of the Mongolian Combat Merit (1964)
• Czechoslovak Order of the Red Star (1965)
• From the Dutch company N.O.K, for record sales: Gold disk (1974)
• Two awards of the Order of the Red Banner
• The honorary title of Academy (1979)^[4]

See also[edit]

• Alexandrov Ensemble choir
• Alexandrov Ensemble soloists
• Alexandrov Ensemble discography

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Official website
• Tribute to the lost members of the Ensemble by former soloist Leonid Kharitonov, 26 December 2016 In Russian with English subtitles
• Russia Beyond the Headlines: Interview with Leonid Malev 2008 Archived 11 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine
• Translated Sovmusic.ru webpage: Biog. of AV Alexandrov and list of early tracks recorded by Ensemble.
• Rg.ru webpage: interview with Ensemble director Leonid Maleev, by Yadviga Yuferova, 2007 In Russian.
• Images of The 1948 Berlin Peace Concert

Reviews[edit]

• 1989 «Red Army Ensemble Offers» etc.: J. Rockwell, New York Times
• 2008 «Russia Beyond the Headlines»: Canada tour Archived 8 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine
• Voce del leone webpage: Review of EMI Classics CD: Red Army Ensemble
• Musicweb International CD review of EMI Classics 3 92031 2

Начальник и художественный руководитель академического ансамбля песни и пляски Российской Армии имени Александра Александрова. Заслуженный артист Российской Федерации. Заслуженный работник культуры РФ. Полковник. Занимался возрождением легендарного коллектива после гибели основного состава ансамбля в авиакатастрофе самолета Ту-154 над Черным морем. 

Геннадий Саченюк родился 24 декабря 1967 года в поселке Горностаевка, Украина. В 1986 году с отличием окончил Херсонское государственное музыкальное училище по классу тромбона. В том же году уехал в Москву, где вплоть до 1991 года обучался на Военно-дирижерском факультете при Московской государственной консерватории имени Петра Ильича Чайковского.

По окончании ВУЗа служил на Военно-дирижерском факультете при МГК имени Чайковского в должности военного дирижера — начальника учебного оркестра. В дальнейшем проходил службу помощником начальника учебного отдела и начальником лаборатории технических средств обучения — начальником студии звукозаписи.

Заместителем начальника Академического ансамбля песни и пляски Российской Армии имени Александра Александрова Саченюк был назначен 29 декабря 2000 года. С 2012 года являлся исполняющий обязанности художественного руководителя александровского коллектива.

С 2013 года на протяжении трех лет работал художественным руководителем коллектива.

Автор многих оркестровок и произведений для солистов, хора и балета. Организатор выпуска компакт-дисков: «125 лет А.В.Александрову», «100 лет Б.А.Александрову». В 2015 году удостоен звания «Народный артист Республики Северная Осетия — Алания».

После чудовищной катастрофы самолета Ту-154 в городе Сочи 25 декабря 2016 года, при котором погибла большая часть ансамбля, именно на плечи Геннадия Саченюка легла работа по возрождению легендарного коллектива.

С апреля 2016 Геннадий Ксенафонтович назначен заместителем начальника ансамбля — художественного руководителя.

Приказом Министра обороны Российской Федерации 24 марта 2017 года Геннадий Саченюк занял должность начальника — художественного руководителя академического ансамбля песни и пляски Российской Армии имени Александра Александрова.

Полковник Геннадий Саченюк 13 сентября 2019 года удостоен почетного звания «Заслуженный артист Российской Федерации». Награду вручил Министр обороны Российской Федерации генерал армии Сергей Шойгу на торжественной церемонии награждения победителей VI Всероссийского фестиваля «Армия России-2019», состоявшейся в Атриуме Национального центра управления обороной Российской Федерации.

Награды Геннадия Саченюка

Медаль ордена «За заслуги перед Отечеством» II степени;

Медаль «За воинскую доблесть» II степени;

Медаль «За укрепление боевого содружества» Министерства обороны России;

Заслуженный артист России;

Заслуженный работник культуры России;

Народный артист Республики Северная Осетия — Алания.

20.12.2020

Alexandrov Ensemble
The Alexandrov Choir with Dance Ensemble, Warsaw 2009
Background information
Also known as	Red Army Choir A. V. Alexandrov Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army Red Army Song Ensemble of the M. V. Frunze Red Army Central House Red-Bannered Red Army Song and Dance Ensemble of the USSR A. V. Alexandrov Twice Red-bannered and Red-starred Song and Dance Ensemble of the Soviet Army A. V. Alexandrov Twice Red-bannered and Red-starred Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Soviet Army
Genres	Classical, folk tunes, hymns, operatic arias, popular music
Years active	1928–present
Members	Conductor Gennadiy Sachenyuk [ru]
Past members	Valery Khalilov, and 63 other members
Website	redarmychoir.com

The Alexandrov Ensemble (Russian: Ансамбль Александрова, tr. Ansambl’ Aleksandrova; commonly known as the Red Army Choir^[1] in the West) is an official army choir of the Russian armed forces. Founded during the Soviet era, the ensemble consists of a male choir, an orchestra, and a dance ensemble.

The Ensemble has entertained audiences both in Russia and throughout the world, performing a range of music including folk tunes, hymns, operatic arias and popular music. The group’s repertoire has included The Volga Boatmen’s Song, Katyusha, Kalinka, and Ave Maria.

It is named for its first director, Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov (1883–1946). Its formal name since 1998 has been A. V. Alexandrov Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army (Russian: Академи́ческий анса́мбль пе́сни и пля́ски Росси́йской А́рмии и́мени А. В. Алекса́ндрова, tr. Akademíchesky ansámbl′ pésni i plyáski Rossýskoy Ármii ímeni A. V. Aleksándrova),^[2] shortened to Academic Ensemble (Russian: Академи́ческий анса́мбль, tr. Akademíchesky ansámbl′)^[2] on second reference.

On 25 December 2016, its artistic director, Valery Khalilov, and 63 other members of the Ensemble were killed in the Russian Defence Ministry aircraft crash of a 1983 Tupolev Tu-154 into the Black Sea just after takeoff from the southern resort city of Sochi, Russia.^[1] The Red Army Choir singers and dancers were en route to Syria to entertain Russian troops there for Orthodox Christmas celebrations.^[3]

Name[edit]

At the establishment, in 1928, the choir was named Red Army Song Ensemble of the M. V. Frunze Red Army Central House (Russian: Анса́мбль красноарме́йской пе́сни Центра́льного до́ма Кра́сной А́рмии и́мени М. В. Фру́нзе, tr. Ansámbl′ krasnoarméyskoy pésni Tsentrál′nogo dóma Krásnoy Ármii ímeni M. V. Frúnze). In 1935, it was renamed Red-Bannered Red Army Song and Dance Ensemble of the USSR (Russian: Краснознамённый анса́мбль красноарме́йской пе́сни и пля́ски СССР, tr. Krasnozamyónny ansámbl′ krasnoarméyskoy pésni i plyáski SSSR).

In 1949 the ensemble was officially named the A. V. Alexandrov Twice Red-bannered and Red-starred Song and Dance Ensemble of the Soviet Army (Дважды Краснознамённый ордена Красной Звезды ансамбль песни и пляски Советской Армии имени А. В. Александрова Russian: Два́жды Краснознамённый о́рдена Кра́сной Звезды́ анса́мбль пе́сни и пля́ски Сове́тской А́рмии и́мени А. В. Алекса́ндрова, tr. Dvázhdy Krasnoznamyonny órdena Krásnoy Zvezdý ansámbl′ pésni i plyáski Sovétskoy Ármii ímeni A. V. Aleksándrova). In 1978 the word «academic» was added to the title (A. V. Alexandrov Twice Red-bannered and Red-starred Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Soviet Army). After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the ensemble received its present name in 1998.

History[edit]

Early years[edit]

Born into a peasant family, Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov became the first artistic director of the ensemble, choirmaster, conductor, teacher and the public figure who wrote the music to the State Anthem of the Soviet Union.^[4] He came from a musical background of hymns and folk songs, could play the viola and had perfect pitch, so he sang in the church choir and performed at festivals. He was heard singing at the village school by PA Zalivuhin, a soloist in the choir at Kazan Cathedral, St. Petersburg. Zalivuhin persuaded Alexandrov’s parents to let the child go to St Petersburg to learn music. In 1898, the young peasant boy became a pupil of the Saint Petersburg Court Chapel.^[4]

There are two recorded histories of the ensemble: possibly separate elements of the same history. The first says that the initiator of the ensemble was Felix Nikolaevich Danilovich, a theatre director. The first director of the ensemble was chosen from three of Moscow’s conductors: Danilin, Chesnokov and Alexandrov. Seen in isolation this would signify that A. V. Alexandrov was not the creator of the ensemble. In this version the first troupe is named as follows. Singers: Tkachenko, Zyukov, Samarin, Rozanov, Koltypin, Tolskov, Golyaev, Charov. Dancers: Maximov, Svetlov. Bayanist: Surdin.^[5][specify]

The second version says that the ensemble was formed out of the Frunze Red Army Central House in 1928. There is also a story that Stalin then asked Alexandrov to relocate the choir to Moscow.^[4] Under the name Red Army Song Ensemble of the M. V. Frunze Red Army Central House, shortly the «Red Army Choir«, twelve soldier-performers – a vocal octet, a bayan player, 2 dancers, and a reciter – officially performed for the first time on 12 October 1928 under the direction of their conductor, Alexandr Alexandrov, a young music professor at the Moscow Conservatory. The program, entitled The 22nd Krasnodar Division in Song, consisted mainly of short musical scenes of military life, including Songs of the First Cavalry Army, The Special Far-Eastern Army, and Song about Magnitostroi.

Development[edit]

In 1929, the ensemble visited the far eastern lands of the Soviet Union, entertaining the troops working on the Far Eastern Railway.^{[citation needed]}

With the goal of developing amateur art within the ranks of the army and to encourage soldiers’ interest in good music, the ensemble grew to 300 performers by 1933, comprising three different forces of a male choir, an orchestra, and an ensemble of dancers.^{[citation needed]} Some sources^[who?] say that in 1933 there were 19 members; in 1935 there were 135 and in August 1937 in Paris and Prague they were 150. The Red Army Choir became known as a propagator of Soviet songs, performing original compositions by composers such as Vasily Solovyov-Sedoy, Anatoli Novikov, Matvey Blanter and Boris Mokrousov.^{[citation needed]}

In 1935, the choir was bestowed the Order of the Red Banner and was renamed the Red-bannered Red Army Song and Dance Ensemble of the USSR.

Having traveled widely throughout the Soviet Union, from the Arctic north to Tajikistan, the choir performed at the International Exposition dedicated to Art and Technology in Modern Life held in 1937 in Paris, France; it won the Grand Prix, the highest honor bestowed by the jury.

During World War II, the ensemble gave over 1500 performances at both Soviet fronts, entertaining troops about to go into battle, at gun emplacements, airfields, and in hospitals.^{[4][6][needs update][7][8][needs update][9]}

Under Boris Alexandrovich Alexandrov[edit]

Following the death of Alexander Alexandrov, the ensemble was taken over by his son, Boris Alexandrovich Alexandrov. Under his leadership, the ensemble gained fame outside the Soviet Union, making extensive tours worldwide. Boris Alexandrov retired in 1987, and was succeeded by People’s Artist of Russia Igor Agafonnikov the same year,^[4] with Anatoly Maltsev as the ensemble chief. He retired as the principal conductor in 1994; he died that year and was buried in Moscow at the Novodevichy Cemetery.^[10] He was succeeded by Victor Fedorov, the chorus master since 1986.

Under B. A. Alexandrov, the ensemble was highly disciplined. Boris’s party trick was to leave the stage and allow the ensemble to perform «En Route» alone. Members were positioned so that they could not all watch one orchestral leader, and this appeared to be a trick, but there was no trick at all. Leonid Kharitonov remembers:

The Ensemble members were so disciplined and experienced that they could feel the rhythm simultaneously and could sing and play together automatically, without the conductor… In Canada during one concert Alexandrov left the Ensemble to perform alone for half an hour.^{[11][specify]}

Major Vladimir Alexandrov (1910–1978), brother of Boris Alexandrov, also composed for the ensemble.^[12] He served as Orchestral Director and Conductor.^[13] Vladimir Gordeev was the principal conductor on the 1988 UK tour.^[14]

1948 Berlin Peace Concert[edit]

In 1948 much of Berlin was still ruined after World War II, and the city was divided into four occupation zones, controlled by the USSR, France, the UK and the United States. This was before the Berlin Wall was built, and it was still possible to travel between zones. An American officer suggested a concert in the Gendarmenmarkt (in the Soviet zone at the time), and the French zone commander supported the suggestion. The musicians were to be provided by the USSR, and the Alexandrov Ensemble was chosen. A temporary stage was set up in the square, with flowers all along the front. 30,000 people came to stand and watch for three hours. In 1994, towards the end of his life, Boris Alexandrov said:

«The visit to Germany was unforgettable. It is dominant in the history of the ensemble. It was necessary to make a new creative leap – from wartime military music to postwar relaxing harmony. It was important, and the transition had to be managed on many fronts, including getting the Ensemble back into its original pre-war role, performing the classics and singing folk songs. Before the war the Ensemble had 200 professional singers; following the war it was down to 60.»^[15]

A previous tour to East Germany had been cancelled due to the sudden death of Alexander Alexandrov in 1946 in Potsdam, when in his bed was found an annotated copy of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, showing that A. Alexandrov had been preparing the final chorus for a performance. Now Boris, his son, was ready to follow his father’s plan. The 1948 peace concert was to consist of German opera extracts and Russian folk songs (Nightingales, Zemlyanka and Roads); and after an intervention by the tenor Victor Nikitin, some German folk songs were also included. The people joined in, singing Heidenröslein, and Nikitin sang Kalinka three times in a row. The concert was very successful, and very moving.^{[16]
[17][18]} A sound recording of the concert was made, and pressed in 1985 under the Radio DDR 1 label. This is listed on the Alexandrov Ensemble discography page.

However the Berlin Peace Concert did not happen in isolation. It was part of a series of punishing yearly tours to war-torn areas. The main tour season during and just after World War II appears to have run from June to October – perhaps because the large troupe usually had to perform outdoors, to accommodate large audiences. The August 1948 Berlin concert occurred two-thirds of the way through a tour to (20 June to 18 July) Prague, Most, Brno, Devin, Bratislava, Moravská Ostrava, Žilina and Kosice in Czechoslovakia; then apparently without a break (18 July to 10 October) Dresden, Weimar, Magdeburg, Stendal, Schwerin, Potsdam, Berlin, Rathenow, Leipzig, Halle, Lane, Erfurt, Chemnitz, Frankfurt an der Oder and Schwarzenberg in Germany.^[19][20]

In 1990, the ensemble participated in Roger Waters’ The Wall concert celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall. They performed an anti-war song, Bring the Boys Back Home.^{[citation needed]}

After 1991[edit]

In 1993, the ensemble became an item of pop culture by performing with the Finnish band Leningrad Cowboys in Helsinki, Finland where they performed on the Senate Square in front of 70,000 listeners, and in Berlin. In the German capital, the concert of the Leningrad Cowboys with the ensemble took place on the central Lustgarten and gave the former Red Army’s farewell to Berlin and the whole Germany an optimistic overtone. The Finnish concert was made into a rockumentary Total Balalaika Show by film director Aki Kaurismäki. That year they also made a CD and played a concert with French singer Jean-Jacques Goldman. The ensemble and the Leningrad Cowboys performed «Sweet Home Alabama» at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards.^{[citation needed]}

Today, the ensemble is led by Honoured Artist of Russia Vyacheslav Korobko, who has been leading it since 2003.^[4]

Over the years, the ensemble has collaborated with many popular artists and producers including David Foster, Jean-Jacques Goldman and Steve Barakatt.

Until 1969, the standard uniform for the ensemble choir, soloists and orchestra was the tunic and riding breeches. On 1 January 1970, this was changed to dress uniform,^{[21][specify]} and there have been further variations to the dress uniform as used by the ensemble since 1970.^{[citation needed]}

Eurovision Song Contest 2009[edit]

In 2009, The Aleksandrov Red Army Choir took part in the Eurovision Song Contest when the contest was hosted in Moscow as part of a collaboration during the First Semi Final, Featuring The Red Army Dance Ensemble, Moscow Military Music School, Gipsy Theatre Roman as they performed some known Russian folk songs as they get joined by 2003 Representatives t.A.T.u who performed «Not Gonna Get Us» as the final portion of the interval act.

2016 plane crash[edit]

On 25 December 2016, a Russian Defence Ministry Tupolev Tu-154 carrying 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble Choir went down 1.5 km (0.93 mi) off the coast of Sochi, Russia while en route to Latakia, Syria for a Christmas celebration with the troops deployed at Khmeimim military base.^{[citation needed]} The plane crashed with no survivors.

After 5 weeks, the choir was reformed anew in time for Defender of the Fatherland Day celebrations on 18 February 2017.^{[citation needed]} That first concert in weeks marks also the birth of a new era for the Ensemble, with its first international tour following the crash with concerts not just in Russia but also in select European countries. Most of the new members joined through auditions held on 15 and 27 January 2017 by the Ministry of Defense of Russia. Since June 7, 2016, Colonel Gennadiy Sachenyuk [ru] became Artistic Director then main conductor and Head of the Ensemble since March 24, 2017.^[22] In 2019, The Red Army Choir toured around the world to celebrate 90th anniversary of their foundation.

2018 90th Anniversary[edit]

On 12 October 2018, the Ensemble celebrated the 90th anniversary of its foundation at a special event at the Bolshoi Theatre.^[23] Following this event, the leader of the Ensemble Colonel Gennadiy Sachenyuk announced a worldwide tour.^[24] The Ensemble performed concerts produced by Thierry Wolf in various countries including France, Switzerland, Belgium, Serbia, the Czech Republic and China.^[25] In December 2019, they celebrated Christmas in Montreal during a week of seven concerts at La Maison Symphonique.^[26]

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine[edit]

Following the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the tour Alexandrov Ensemble was supposed to have in the Czech Republic has been canceled,^[27] while individual members of the choir have faced disqualifications from competitions such as Operalia.^[28]

Composition[edit]

Soloists[edit]

Most notable soloists:

• Evgeny Belyaev
• Victor Ivanovich Nikitin
• Leonid Kharitonov
• Mark Reizen
• Georgi Pavlovich Vinogradov
• Vadim Anayev
• Ivan Bukreev
• V. Chetverikov

Chorus[edit]

Current members of the choir are listed here.^[29]
The choir consists mainly of vocal sections of tenor, baritone, and bass. In some of the pieces they perform, these sections are divided into as many as eight different vocal lines. From the early 1950s until at least 1965 a typical full division (which varied from song to song) was as follows: (1) countertenors; (2) first tenors; (3) second tenors; (4) baritones; (5) first bass; (6) second bass; (7) basso profundos.^[30]

Orchestra[edit]

The orchestra, in what became a typical composition for later generations of military ensembles in the Soviet Union, has a mixed composition of Russian traditional instruments and western instruments, including the balalaika, the domra, the bayan, the double bass, woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments. A great guest balalaika player was Boris Stepanovich Feoktistov (Борис Степанович Феоктистов) (1910–1988). In the West his most famous recording is Kamarinskaya (1963).^{[31]
[32][33]}
A. Molostov is the trumpet soloist in «Dark Eyes» in vintage recordings.^[34]
The bayan-player Victor Gridin is a past member of the orchestra.^[35]

Dancers[edit]

Among the dances staged by the ensemble are Zaparozhtsi Dance, Cossack’s Cavalry Dance, Festive March, Dance of the Cossacks, Soldier’s Dance, and Sailor’s Dance. Some of these are performed by mixed dancers, while others, such as Cossack’s Cavalry Dance, are performed by male dancers only.

The ballet is under the direction of Lev Nikolaevich Kulikov National Artist of Russia, the main ballet master, and maintains the heights of choreographic art with honour. The priority in its repertoire is taken by the military compositions: Matroskaya barynya, Kazachiya cavalry plyaska, Festive march, Invitation to dance and others. The ballet performs a lot of Russian folk dances. The classical repertoire contains Poloveckie plyasky from the opera Prince Igor written by Alexander Borodin. This is from our dance classics, but we always update the dance repertoire. (Leonid Ivanovich Malev, current Director of the Ensemble, interviewed by Russia Beyond the Headlines 1 Dec 2008)^[36]

Current line-up[edit]

The artistic director was Valery Khalilov but he, and 63 other members of the Ensemble, were killed in an aircraft crash on 25 December 2016. The chief choreographer is People’s Artist of Russia L. Kulikov; the chief administrator is Honoured Artist of Russia VG Kadin, the choreographer and coach is the Honoured Artist of Russia V. Ermolin; head dresser is Honoured Worker of Culture A. Kormilitsyn; soloists are VI Shtefutsa and EM Labkovsky; with SV Ivanov, PD Bogachev, VP Maystruk, AA Gvozdetsky, BM Mizyuk: all Honoured Artist of Russia.^[4]

In the choir are YA Lysenko, Y. Shtrunov, IM Pirogov, IS Sobolev, IF Volkov, OV Filimonov, AN Savitsky, VA Nagorny, VP Kokarev, AA Hristachev, JN Deynekin, VM Bolonenko, VN Antonov, AN Stritenko, AA Toschev: all Honoured Artist of Russia; and VS Buzlov, SP Lapik, VF Orthodox, GU Razgasimov, V. Chekin, MD Mochalina.^[4]

In the orchestra are AA Mogulkin, Y. Savkin, MG Chervov, PD Shchennikov, NI Diakov, AI Egorov, VM Predelin: all Honoured Artist of Russia. Vocal coaches are People’s Artist of Russia, laureate of competitions, MI Glinka and PI Tchaikovsky, Professor KP Lisovsky. The Principal Concertmaster is Honoured Artist of Russia V. Brodsky.^[4]

In the ballet are GD Pavlyuchenko, IV Konygina, P.U. Khmelnitski: all Honoured Artist of Russia.
In 2019, the Ensemble touring all over the world with famous soloist as Valery Gavva ^[37] or Vadim Ananeev^[38] but also young soloists such as Alexander Kruze or Maxim Maklakov,former soloit of Kraznodar Opera ^[39] or very young talent such as Sergey Kuznetsov.^[40] Under the direction of conductor Gennadiy Sachenyuk^[41]

Composers and directors[edit]

Directors of the Ensemble and orchestra, and Assistant Conductors[edit]

• 1928–1946 — Major General Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov, People’s Artist of the Soviet Union, founding Artistic Director and conductor of the Ensemble, awarded the Stalin Prize, composed the State Anthem of the Soviet Union and various other songs for the ensemble
• 1946–1987 — Major General Boris Alexandrovich Alexandrov, Hero of Socialist Labor, People’s Artist of the Soviet Union, awarded both the Lenin Prize and the Stalin Prize, son of the founder, composer and led the ensemble on a number of national and international engagements
• 1987–1992 — Professor Colonel Anatoly Maltsev, People’s Artist of Russia, led the Ensemble through the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the armed forces, served as Assistant Conductor until 1987
• 1992–1993 — Colonel Igor Germanovich Agafonnikov (until 1992 conductor and Artistic Director for the orchestra, also served as deputy and relief conductor)
• 1993–2002 — Colonel Dmitry Vasilyevich Somov
• 1994–2002 — Colonel Victor A. Fedorov, Choir Master and relief conductor
• 2003–2016 — Colonel Leonid Malev, Honoured Artist and Honoured Cultural Worker, responsible for the choir’s renewed international tours including a memorable concert at the Vatican in 2004
• 2008–2012 — Prof. Colonel Igor Raevskiy, People’s Artist of Russia, Honoured Artist of Belarus, awarded the State Prize of Czechoslovakia
• 2012–2016, 2017–present — Colonel Gennady Ksenafontovich Sachenyuk, Honoured Cultural Worker of Russia, current Artistic Director, Principal Conductor and Head of the Ensemble
• 2016 (May–December) — Prof. Lieutenant General Valery Khalilov, People’s Artist of Russia, highest-ranking officer to serve as Artistic Director
• Second conductor, Lieutenant Colonel Nikolay Kirillov, People’s Artist of Russia, Chief Conductor and assistant director of the ensemble
• Choirmaster- Sergey Sokolov.
• Present days — 13 September 2019, Gennadiy Sachenyuk [ru], nicknamed the Maestro, Conductor and Director of the Ensemble since 2016, was honored with the highest level medal for Russian artist.^[42]

Composers and assistant directors[edit]

• Kostiantyn Dankevych (1905–1984): a Ukrainian who was director of Songs and Dance of the Red Army Choir in Tbilisi, and wrote Poem of Ukraine.^[43]
• Lev Knipper (1898–1974) who composed Polyushko Pole, and Viktor Gusev (1909–1944) who wrote the lyrics.
• Pavlo Virsky who was artistic director of the Alexandrov Ensemble dancers from 1942, for many years.
• Samuel Pokrass (1897–1939) who wrote White Army, Black Baron or Red Army is Strongest; lyrics by P. Grigoriev.

The repertoire[edit]

In 2006 and 2007, in Moscow and in Vladikavkaz, Grozny, the ensemble performed a New Year fairy tale show for children, Ivan the Good, Ivan the Brave, about a soldier helping to save New Year’s Day.^[36]

In 2008, the 80th anniversary of the ensemble, director Leonid Malev said:

Of course everything depends on the repertoire which is quite large – more than two thousand works. Depending on the concert we choose a special repertoire. We have a rule that we try not to break. In any country we sing 2–3 songs in the native language of the people who live there. As a rule it helps to find a rapport with, and the appreciation of, the audience. And for us it is some kind of musical gift, to honour the host country and its people. For instance in Canada when we sang the National Anthem of Russia people stood up to show respect to our country, and when we finished we sang their country’s anthem «O Canada».

A million people in our country and abroad like songs like «Kalinka», «Katyusha», «Smuglyanka» and the other songs of the military years as well as «The Day of the Victory», «Dark Eyes», «Vecherny zvon» and «Podmoskovnye vechera». All these songs are known because of the Alexandrov folk song and dance company and people want to hear these songs at every concert. They are not just part of our history; they are great masterpieces. It is interesting that «Svyaschennaya Voyna», written by Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov in 1941, helped Soviet soldiers to protect their Motherland and is still popular in Slovakia, Poland and Bulgaria. Those audiences listen to it standing up and it touches their hearts and souls.

For our concerts we search for new musical works because you can’t live only in the past. But to tell you the truth it’s impossible to imagine our concerts without works of Russian and West-European classical music (Beethoven, Bach, Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky), they are part of human history. But our repertoire contains not only songs of the military years and folk songs, arias from operas, songs of the world and spiritual music but also new songs such as Iliya Reznik’s «To Serve Russia», and those written by Eduard Hanka, Kim Breytburg, Sergey Sashin and other modern composers and poets.
—Director Leonid Ivanovich Malev, 1 December 2008
^[36]

The Children’s Choir School[edit]

The Alexandrov children’s choir school was founded in 2007. Malev said about the school:

It’s not a secret that the more you work with children, the greater their prospect of achievement in society. We approached the Ministry of Defence with an appeal to organize this choir and it was approved. October 1st 2007 was the opening day of the Aleksandrovcy creative school for musical and aesthetic education for children. This became an important event in the year of the Ensemble’s 80th anniversary.
The first night of the boys’ Aleksandrovcy Choir on December 26th at the Cadets’ Gold Epaulette Ball went like clockwork. After that night they participated in many concerts. The latest was on Poklonnaya Hill in memory of the Beslan tragedy, as part of City Day on the 3rd and 7th of September. It should be mentioned that we have an excellent director of the school Nina Anatolievna Putilina who puts all her soul into raising this worthy generation.
We do a lot in order to raise the new generation with regard to physical, spiritual and moral health. Here children begin at the beginning of vocal music and literary speaking; they absorb the best practice of their teachers.
The children’s choir has become an integral part of the Ensemble’s life and takes part in its important concerts. We plan to have tours together.^[36]

Films[edit]

The ensemble under the direction of Boris Alexandrov can be heard singing It’s a Long Way to Tipperary in the 1981 film Das Boot. Members of the ensemble are seen performing The Internationale in New York’s Grand Central Station in Peter Miller’s 2000 documentary The Internationale. Several films have been made of the ensemble’s performances: see Alexandrov Ensemble discography.

Awards for the ensemble[edit]

• For global recognition of high art: The Global Team Award
• From the French Academy of Records, for the best record: Gold Disk (1961)
• From the French company Chant Du Monde, for record sales: Gold disk (1964)
• Order of the Mongolian Combat Merit (1964)
• Czechoslovak Order of the Red Star (1965)
• From the Dutch company N.O.K, for record sales: Gold disk (1974)
• Two awards of the Order of the Red Banner
• The honorary title of Academy (1979)^[4]

See also[edit]

• Alexandrov Ensemble choir
• Alexandrov Ensemble soloists
• Alexandrov Ensemble discography

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Official website
• Tribute to the lost members of the Ensemble by former soloist Leonid Kharitonov, 26 December 2016 In Russian with English subtitles
• Russia Beyond the Headlines: Interview with Leonid Malev 2008
• Translated Sovmusic.ru webpage: Biog. of AV Alexandrov and list of early tracks recorded by Ensemble.
• Rg.ru webpage: interview with Ensemble director Leonid Maleev, by Yadviga Yuferova, 2007 In Russian.
• Images of The 1948 Berlin Peace Concert

Reviews[edit]

• 1989 «Red Army Ensemble Offers» etc.: J. Rockwell, New York Times
• 2008 «Russia Beyond the Headlines»: Canada tour
• Voce del leone webpage: Review of EMI Classics CD: Red Army Ensemble
• Musicweb International CD review of EMI Classics 3 92031 2

Академический дважды Краснознаменный, ордена Красной Звезды ансамбль песни и пляски Российской Армии имени Александра Васильевича Александрова или Ансамбль Александрова — крупнейший художественный коллектив России и ранее СССР. Одной из отличительных черт ансамбля становится наличие в оркестре русских народных инструментов — домр и балалаек. В репертуаре ансамбля более двух тысяч произведений: народные песни и танцы, солдатские пляски, песни отечественных авторов, духовная музыка, классические произведения русских и зарубежных композиторов. За свою историю завоевал сердца миллионов соотечественников и получил широкое мировое признание, благодаря уникальности и блистательному мастерству, в основе которых традиции, накопленные десятилетиями. Во многих уголках планеты, поклонники прославленного коллектива, ждут новых встреч с ансамблем. 

12 октября 1928 года в Центральном доме Красной Армии состоялось первое выступление ансамбля песни и пляски. Дата считается Днем рождения коллектива.

Дважды Краснознамённый Академический ансамбль песни и пляски Российской Армии имени А. В. Александрова или Ансамбль Александрова — крупнейший художественный коллектив России и ранее СССР. Аббревиатуры — КАППСА, КАППРА, КрАПП. За рубежом известен как англ. The Alexandrov Red Army Choir (Chorus); The Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble; Red Army Chorus; Alexandrovtsy.

История

В 1928 г. Ансамбль насчитывал 12 человек — 8 певцов, 2 танцора, баянист и чтец. К 1 декабря 1935 года коллектив вырос до 135 человек.

12 октября 1928 г. состоялось первое выступление ансамбля в Центральном доме Красной Армии, которое принято считать рождением указанного военного творческого коллектива.

1 декабря 1928 г. ансамбль был зачислен в штат ЦДКА и получил название Ансамбль красноармейской песни Центрального дома Красной Армии имени М. В. Фрунзе.

С 27 ноября 1935 г. — Краснознамённый ансамбль красноармейской песни и пляски СССР.

В 1937 г. штат Ансамбля 274 человека, а в 1948 г. — 313 человек. В настоящее время в штате ансамбля состоит 186 человек. Организатором и первым музыкальным руководителем был профессор Московской консерватории им. П. И. Чайковского, народный артист СССР, композитор, генерал-майор Александр Александров. Он возглавлял ансамбль на протяжении 18 лет.

С 7 февраля 1949 г. — Дважды Краснознамённый ордена Красной Звезды ансамбль песни и пляски Советской Армии имени А. В. Александрова.

С 10 июля 1949 г. Ансамблю было присвоено имя его основателя — А. В. Александрова.

В 1978 году, в канун своего 50-летия, Ансамбль получил наивысшую профессиональную аттестацию — почётное звание «академический» (Дважды Краснознамённый ордена Красной Звезды академический ансамбль песни и пляски Советской Армии имени А. В. Александрова).

С 1998 года — Академический ансамбль песни и пляски Российской армии имени А. В. Александрова.

С 2006 года — Федеральное государственное учреждение культуры и искусства «Академический ансамбль песни и пляски Российской Армии имени А. В. Александрова» Министерства обороны Российской Федерации.

С 2011 года — Федеральное бюджетное учреждение культуры и искусства «Академический ансамбль песни и пляски Российской Армии имени А. В. Александрова» Министерства обороны Российской Федерации.

С 2012 года — Федеральное государственное казённое учреждение культуры и искусства «Академический ансамбль песни и пляски Российской Армии имени А. В. Александрова» Министерства обороны Российской Федерации.

В репертуаре ансамбля более двух тысяч произведений. Это песни отечественных авторов, народные песни и танцы, духовная музыка, классические произведения русских и зарубежных композиторов, шедевры мировой рок- и поп музыки.

Ансамбль и его артисты удостоены многих советских, российских и международных наград.

Руководители ансамбля

• 1928—1946 Александр Васильевич Александров, народный артист СССР, лауреат Государственных премий СССР, доктор искусствоведения, профессор Московской консерватории, генерал-майор.
• 1946—1987 Борис Александрович Александров, народный артист СССР, Герой Социалистического Труда, лауреат Ленинской и Государственных премий СССР, генерал-майор.
• 1987—1992 Анатолий Васильевич Мальцев, начальник ансамбля, полковник.
• 1987—1993 Игорь Германович Агафонников, художественный руководитель и главный дирижёр, народный артист Российской Федерации, полковник.
• 1993 — октябрь 2002 Дмитрий Васильевич Сомов, начальник ансамбля, заслуженный работник культуры России, полковник.
• 1994—2003 Виктор Алексеевич Фёдоров, художественный руководитель и главный дирижёр, народный артист России.
• 2003—2008 Вячеслав Алексеевич Коробко, художественный руководитель и главный дирижёр, народный артист России, заслуженный деятель искусств Российской Федерации, полковник.
• С октября 2002 Леонид Иванович Малев, начальник ансамбля, заслуженный работник культуры России, полковник.
• С августа 2008 Игорь Иванович Раевский, художественный руководитель, народный артист России, заслуженный артист Белоруссии, профессор, лауреат Государственной премии Чехословакии, полковник.

Юные Александровцы

При ансамбле функционирует детская школа-студия Юные Александровцы для детей от 5 до 13 лет.

Эстрадная группа «Александров — ПАРК»

С 2009 года при ансамбле действует Эстрадная группа «Александров — ПАРК» под руководством Заслуженного артиста России Сотскова Виталия Викторовича. В репертуаре коллектива песенные шлягеры и хиты прошлых лет в современной интерпретации.

Фильмография

• 1953 — Песни родной стороны
• «Поющее оружие. Ансамбль Александрова»

Конфликт с Ансамблем песни и пляски ВВ МВД

Ансамбль песни и пляски ВВ МВД под управлением В.П.Елисеева для гастролей за рубежом безосновательно добавил к своему названию словосочетание Красной Армии (The Red Army Choir MVD Academic Ensemble или Academical Ensemble IF MIA RF Red Army)^[1], тем самым введя в заблуждение западных зрителей, уверенных в том, что речь идет о всемирно известном Ансамбле Александрова (The Alexandrov Red Army Choir или The Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble). В 2011 году Ансамбль Александрова опубликовал видеообращение «Скандал вокруг ансамбля МВД», в котором выразил возмущение действиями Ансамбля ВВ МВД.

Примечания

Ссылки

	Ансамбль песни и пляски Российской армии на Викискладе?

• Официальный сайт
• Песни в исполнении ансамбля
• К ЮБИЛЕЮ ВЕЛИКОГО ЧЕЛОВЕКА
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• Юные Александровцы
• 80 лет на сцене и в погонах
• Концерт 80 лет Ансамблю Александрова

12 октября 1928 года принято считать днем рождения музыкального коллектива, который в дальнейшем стал Академическим ансамблем песни и пляски Российской Армии им. А. В. Александрова. Первые шаги ансамбль сделал в Центральном доме Красной Армии им. М. В. Фрунзе

Музыка в военном деле

Здесь мы должны сделать небольшой исторический экскурс и рассказать, какое место занимала музыка в армии. Многие не поверят, но еще в 1547 году военная музыка официально оформилась на земле Русского государства и с тех пор так и остается усладой для души каждого русского военнослужащего. Именно при Иване IV был впервые создан Приказ Большого Дворца для управления военной музыкой. А вообще-то военная музыка существовала на Руси с глубокой древности. Много примеров мы приводить не будем, но предлагаем вспомнить фильм «Александр Невский», когда под пищали, бубны и другие музыкальные инструменты русские воины сражались с тевтонскими рыцарями. Именно здесь замечательный кинорежиссер Сергей Эйзенштейн постарался показать нам основные музыкальные инструменты русской армии и влияние музыки на воинов. Новую страницу в военной музыке открыл Петр Первый. Он придавал музыке важное значение, считал, что в регулярной армии музыка служит средством укрепления дисциплины, подъема морального и боевого духа. Конкретные музыкальные оркестры появились с созданием первых русских полков – Семеновского и Преображенского. В честь победы в Северной войне именно эти оркестры играли на парадах. Гимн Преображенского полка со временем стал неофициальным гимном Российской Империи.

При Елизавете Петровне отличившиеся полки, кроме обычных наград, получали серебряные Георгиевские трубы как символ воинской доблести и славы. При Екатерине II штат полковых оркестров увеличился, а значимость оркестров особенно возросла в период русско-турецких войн. И как здесь не привести слова замечательного полководца А. В. Суворова: «Музыка удваивает, утраивает армию. С распущенными знаменами и громогласной музыкой взял я Измаил».

Патриотизм, рост национального самосознания ярко отразились в военной музыке, связанной с Отечественной войной 1812 года. Появилось большое количество героико-патриотических произведений и среди них марши О. Козловского, Н. Титова, К. Кавоса и других. Во второй половине XIX века расцветают таланты А. Даргомыжского, М. Глинки, А. Алябьева и других композиторов. В то время и родилась крылатая фраза «Военный оркестр – это визитная карточка полка».

В 1882 году был создан первый в России военный оркестр, который не только работал на воинских ритуалах, но и участвовал в протокольных государственных мероприятиях.

Революция 1917 года открыла широкую дорогу стихийно возникшим военным оркестрам, которые в большинстве своем не отвечали стоящим перед ними задачам. Новая власть в 1919 году создает Бюро военных оркестров Красной Армии и Флота.

В этот период в гарнизоне Московского Кремля была создана Кремлевская музыкальная команда, которая впоследствии стала профессиональным коллективом, а сегодня известна как Президентский оркестр России.

Рост численности Красной Армии к 30-м годам определил и потребность в военных музыкантах. Увеличилось количество военно-учебных заведений, подготовкой оркестровых кадров занимался в том числе и военный факультет Московской государственной консерватории.

Но сегодня мы остановимся на необычном музыкальном коллективе, который был создан при Центральном Доме Красной Армии.

Армейский ансамбль песни и пляски

В 1928 году по инициативе работника культуры Ф. Н. Даниловича при Центральном Доме Красной Армии был организован коллектив, пропагандирующий героическую историю Красной Армии. Режиссером стал П. И. Ильин, а в качестве музыкального руководителя пригласили А. В. Александрова, композитора и профессора Московской консерватории.

Сам Александр Васильевич Александров вырос в Рязанской области, он родился в 1883 году в крестьянской семье. С детства хорошо пел – сначала в школьном хоре, а потом в хоре петербургского Казанского собора, куда попал благодаря своим выдающимся способностям. К 1900 году он окончил курс пения в Казанской певческой церковно-приходской школе и Придворной певческой капеллы. Поступил в Петербургскую консерваторию, но вскоре из-за материальных проблем вынужден был ее покинуть. И только позже окончил Московскую консерваторию. Был регентом архиерейского хора в Твери, а потом и храма Христа Спасителя в Москве. Новые времена, наступившие после революции, им были восприняты как возможность реализации своего замысла синтеза народной и духовной музыки. В этом ему помогло знакомство и дружба с Климентом Ворошиловым, который тоже был неравнодушен к новой музыке. Климент Ефремович и предложил реализовать задуманное, создав новый ансамбль. Правда, было одно интересное условие: Александров становится офицером, а ансамбль – частью Красной Армии. Александров согласился и за основу репертуара взял народные обработки песен, родившихся в годы Гражданской войны. Первые опыты оказались настолько успешными, что сразу после первого выступления коллектив был зачислен в штат ЦДКА.

Первый состав ансамбля насчитывал всего двенадцать человек, в числе которых было восемь певцов, два танцора, баянист и чтец. Первой работой коллектива стал монтаж «История 22-й Краснодарской дивизии в песнях и плясках». Материалом для монтажа стали боевые песни, которые пели и сами слагали бойцы этой дивизии под командованием Михаила Фрунзе. За этим монтажом появились следующие – «Поэма о Царицыне», «Первая конная», «Дальневосточная» и другие. Александров создал большой коллектив, в составе которого и замечательный хор, и оркестр, и танцевальная группа. Этот пример дал старт созданию подобных коллективов как у нас в стране, так и за рубежом. 19 февраля 1933 года Ансамбль выступил в Большом театре, и после выступления состоялась встреча Александрова с И. Сталиным. Эта встреча определила судьбу ансамбля на последующие годы. В 1935 году в составе коллектива уже было 135 артистов – певцов, музыкантов и танцоров. В 1937 году коллектив добивается заслуженного мирового признания. Они выезжают в Париж на Всемирную выставку, и, завоевав Гран-при, ансамбль песни и пляски становится одной из самых узнаваемых визитных карточек нашей страны.

Особое место в творчестве коллектива заняла Великая Отечественная война. Артисты выступили в действующей армии более 1500 раз. В первые же дни войны, когда эшелоны уходили с Белорусского вокзала, звучала песня «Священная война». 24 июня, сразу после нападения Гитлера, текст В. Лебедева-Кумача опубликовали центральные газеты, Александров тут же написал музыку, а 26 июня ансамбль впервые исполнил песню. И теперь по традиции музыканты каждый год в День памяти и скорби исполняют песню в том же месте на вокзале.

Александр Александров руководил ансамблем до 1946 года, а в июле 1949 года коллективу было присвоено имя его основателя – Александра Васильевича Александрова. В дальнейшем руководство ансамблем взял на себя его сын Борис Александров.

25 декабря 2016 года – черный день в истории ансамбля. В этот день под Сочи разбился военный самолет Ту-154. На борту самолета были 64 артиста ансамбля, журналисты, сотрудники военного ведомства и директор фонда «Справедливая помощь» Елизавета Глинка. Катастрофа унесла жизни большей части исполнителей основного состава ансамбля. Но коллектив возродился, пришли молодые ребята, которые быстро освоили репертуар и с честью представляют прославленный ансамбль в зарубежных турах.

Слава творческого коллектива облетела весь мир, он побывал с гастролями более чем в семидесяти странах мира, и везде – с триумфом. В репертуаре ансамбля более 2000 произведений. Ансамбль выступал в Ватикане, в штаб-квартире НАТО, в Нью-Йорке на месте трагедии 11 сентября, с ним пели самые знаменитые певцы и выдающиеся личности – от Мирей Матье до Джорджа Буша-старшего и супруги председателя КНР Пэн Люань.

12 октября 2021 года Ансамбль песни и пляски отметит 93 года со дня своего основания, и за это время он по праву завоевал сердца миллионов своих соотечественников и получил широкое мировое признание. Желаем этому коллективу творческого долголетия и новых встреч с благодарными зрителями.

Дважды Краснознамённый Академический ансамбль песни и пляски Российской Армии имени А. В. Александрова или Ансамбль Александрова — крупнейший художественный коллектив России и ранее СССР. Аббревиатуры — КАППСА, КАППРА, КрАПП. За рубежом известен как англ. The Alexandrov Red Army Choir (Chorus); The Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble; Red Army Chorus; Alexandrovtsy.

История

В 1928 г. Ансамбль насчитывал 12 человек — 8 певцов, 2 танцора, баянист и чтец. К 1 декабря 1935 года коллектив вырос до 135 человек.

12 октября 1928 г. состоялось первое выступление ансамбля в Центральном доме Красной Армии, которое принято считать рождением указанного военного творческого коллектива.

1 декабря 1928 г. ансамбль был зачислен в штат ЦДКА и получил название Ансамбль красноармейской песни Центрального дома Красной Армии имени М. В. Фрунзе.

С 27 ноября 1935 г. — Краснознамённый ансамбль красноармейской песни и пляски СССР.

В 1937 г. штат Ансамбля 274 человека, а в 1948 г. — 313 человек. В настоящее время в штате ансамбля состоит 186 человек. Организатором и первым музыкальным руководителем был профессор Московской консерватории им. П. И. Чайковского, народный артист СССР, композитор, генерал-майор Александр Александров. Он возглавлял ансамбль на протяжении 18 лет.

С 7 февраля 1949 г. — Дважды Краснознамённый ордена Красной Звезды ансамбль песни и пляски Советской Армии имени А. В. Александрова.

С 10 июля 1949 г. Ансамблю было присвоено имя его основателя — А. В. Александрова.

В 1978 году, в канун своего 50-летия, Ансамбль получил наивысшую профессиональную аттестацию — почётное звание «академический» (Дважды Краснознамённый ордена Красной Звезды академический ансамбль песни и пляски Советской Армии имени А. В. Александрова).

С 1998 года — Академический ансамбль песни и пляски Российской армии имени А. В. Александрова.

С 2006 года — Федеральное государственное учреждение культуры и искусства «Академический ансамбль песни и пляски Российской Армии имени А. В. Александрова» Министерства обороны Российской Федерации.

С 2011 года — Федеральное бюджетное учреждение культуры и искусства «Академический ансамбль песни и пляски Российской Армии имени А. В. Александрова» Министерства обороны Российской Федерации.

С 2012 года — Федеральное государственное казённое учреждение культуры и искусства «Академический ансамбль песни и пляски Российской Армии имени А. В. Александрова» Министерства обороны Российской Федерации.

В репертуаре ансамбля более двух тысяч произведений. Это песни отечественных авторов, народные песни и танцы, духовная музыка, классические произведения русских и зарубежных композиторов, шедевры мировой рок- и поп музыки.

Ансамбль и его артисты удостоены многих советских, российских и международных наград.

Руководители ансамбля

• 1928—1946 Александр Васильевич Александров, народный артист СССР, лауреат Государственных премий СССР, доктор искусствоведения, профессор Московской консерватории, генерал-майор.
• 1946—1987 Борис Александрович Александров, народный артист СССР, Герой Социалистического Труда, лауреат Ленинской и Государственных премий СССР, генерал-майор.
• 1987—1992 Анатолий Васильевич Мальцев, начальник ансамбля, полковник.
• 1987—1993 Игорь Германович Агафонников, художественный руководитель и главный дирижёр, народный артист Российской Федерации, полковник.
• 1993 — октябрь 2002 Дмитрий Васильевич Сомов, начальник ансамбля, заслуженный работник культуры России, полковник.
• 1994—2003 Виктор Алексеевич Фёдоров, художественный руководитель и главный дирижёр, народный артист России.
• 2003—2008 Вячеслав Алексеевич Коробко, художественный руководитель и главный дирижёр, народный артист России, заслуженный деятель искусств Российской Федерации, полковник.
• С октября 2002 Леонид Иванович Малев, начальник ансамбля, заслуженный работник культуры России, полковник.
• С августа 2008 Игорь Иванович Раевский, художественный руководитель, народный артист России, заслуженный артист Белоруссии, профессор, лауреат Государственной премии Чехословакии, полковник.

Юные Александровцы

При ансамбле функционирует детская школа-студия Юные Александровцы для детей от 5 до 13 лет.

Эстрадная группа «Александров — ПАРК»

С 2009 года при ансамбле действует Эстрадная группа «Александров — ПАРК» под руководством Заслуженного артиста России Сотскова Виталия Викторовича. В репертуаре коллектива песенные шлягеры и хиты прошлых лет в современной интерпретации.

Фильмография

• 1953 — Песни родной стороны
• «Поющее оружие. Ансамбль Александрова»

Конфликт с Ансамблем песни и пляски ВВ МВД

Ансамбль песни и пляски ВВ МВД под управлением В.П.Елисеева для гастролей за рубежом безосновательно добавил к своему названию словосочетание Красной Армии (The Red Army Choir MVD Academic Ensemble или Academical Ensemble IF MIA RF Red Army)^[1], тем самым введя в заблуждение западных зрителей, уверенных в том, что речь идет о всемирно известном Ансамбле Александрова (The Alexandrov Red Army Choir или The Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble). В 2011 году Ансамбль Александрова опубликовал видеообращение «Скандал вокруг ансамбля МВД», в котором выразил возмущение действиями Ансамбля ВВ МВД.

Примечания

Ссылки

	Ансамбль песни и пляски Российской армии на Викискладе?

• Официальный сайт
• Песни в исполнении ансамбля
• К ЮБИЛЕЮ ВЕЛИКОГО ЧЕЛОВЕКА
• Песенный символ России
• Юные Александровцы
• 80 лет на сцене и в погонах
• Концерт 80 лет Ансамблю Александрова