#008
The Alexandrov Ensemble sings Song of the Plains conducted by B.A. Alexandrov, at the Albert Hall, London, 1963. Music by L. Knipper; words by V. Gusev.
Translation of notes on original recording:
"Soviet soldiers ride through the green plains of their beloved land singing joyfully. All is peaceful, and the people work happily for the future of their homeland."
As far as I know, the usual 1963 recordings of this, repeated on most CDs, were made at the Abbey Road studios in London, but this recording of the live Albert Hall concert itself is rarely heard. This recording was put onto tape, then vinyl for sale in Russia, then later digitalised in Russia, so it has come on a long journey to us here on Youtube.
The Albert Hall was the only indoor space big enough for the Ensemble in 1963. It's a huge and very high circular space, holding at least 5,500 people - and it was full at that concert. The acoustics are famously so difficult that the audience up in the "gods" hear the music long after they see the conductor wave his baton, or the drummer beat his drum. Yet this recording is, I think, more satisfying than the studio recordings.
Albert Hall 1963 playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list...
Compare the Ensemble's 1937 version of Song of the Plains on Youtube:
• Video
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