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62-421: The orchestra was renamed after Nikolai Petrovich Osipov who led the orchestra from 1940. He was succeeded by his brother Dmitri Osipov from his death in 1945 to his brother's death in 1954. Succeeding Nikolai Kalinin in the 21st century as leaders of The Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra have been Vladimir Ponkin (2005-2009), and Vladimir Andropov (2009–present). Playing only upon traditional Russian instruments,

124-483: 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. Today, the ensemble is led by Honoured Artist of Russia Vyacheslav Korobko , who has been leading it since 2003. Until 1969, the standard uniform for the ensemble choir, soloists and orchestra

186-490: A club of balalaika players. This club grew into an orchestra, which in time grew into a movement. Alexey Arhipovsky is considered the modern-day Russian Paganini of the balalaika, but with a Pat Metheny approach. During his tours he has gained many admiring fans who compared him with Paganini and Jimi Hendrix : "One would [sic] think that a three string instrument tuned E-E-A would have much potential, but you then haven't heard Alexei Arkhipovskiy yet... [who] shows that he

248-719: 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

310-505: 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. The ensemble under the direction of Boris Alexandrov can be heard singing It's

372-564: A manner formulated by Vasily Andreyev and subsequently refined under Stalin's regime, yet widely accepted as 'authentically Russian' by Western audiences (conditioned, for instance, by performances by the Red Army Song and Dance Ensemble ). The category includes many of the regional folkloric ensembles and dance companies popular in the Russian Federation. Often these folkloric ensembles specialize in collecting and maintaining

434-744: A movement by musicologists to study and reproduce authentic folk music in an authentic performance style on the concert stage. This movement in Russia is spearheaded by members of the faculty of folk music at the Moscow Conservatory under the direction of Dmitri Pokrovsky . More recently, Russian folk songs with strong religious (spiritual) components have been performed by singers like Zhanna Bichevskaya , Olga Arefieva and Elena Frolova This category includes music by groups led by music professionals, past and present, who have taken authentic musical material, and then arranged and performed it in

496-540: 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

558-432: 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. Major Vladimir Alexandrov (1910–1978), brother of Boris Alexandrov, also composed for

620-466: 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

682-423: A widespread support among the population, inside and outside of the Soviet Union. However, the authentic nature of folk music was severely distorted by the drive to "professionalise" performers, regardless of the genre they worked in; thus, all folk singers were obliged to learn both Western-style classical notation and to perform classical repertoire—or else risk losing their right to perform as "professionals". In

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744-775: 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. 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. In

806-627: Is characteristic for Russian folk songs and is sung by women. Whistling is very common in Russian folk songs. The exclamation "Opa", also "Op op" and sometimes "Ota" is also a common characteristic of Russian folk music and is used by female and male singers. Also, various exclamations of the Cossacks are represented in many Russian folk songs. Alexandrov Ensemble The Alexandrov Ensemble (Russian: Ансамбль Александрова , romanized : Ansambl' Aleksandrova ; commonly known as

868-693: 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 , romanized : Akademíchesky ansámbl′ pésni i plyáski Rossýskoy Ármii ímeni A. V. Aleksándrova ), shortened to Academic Ensemble (Russian: Академи́ческий анса́мбль , romanized : Akademíchesky ansámbl′ ) on second reference. On 25 December 2016, its artistic director, Valery Khalilov , and 63 other members of

930-498: Is often described as controlled screaming or shouting. Female chest register singers have only a low diapason of one octave to 12 notes. Chest register singing has evolved into a style used by many of Russia's folk choirs and neighbouring countries. It was pioneered by Pyatnitsky and Ukrainian folk choir director Demutsky in the early 1900s. Notable ensembles include the Pyatnitsky Russian Folk Chorus ,

992-543: 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

1054-590: Is the Russian Paganini." "[He] became a sensation immediately after the first appearance in front of the general public. He practically wrecked the Guitar festival ... showing incredible musical mastery. It was a real Theatre of inexpressible play and giddy performing numbers, MIME and gesture. Many hearers compared [him] no less than with great Jimi Hendrix" From a simple unsophisticated three-stringed instrument, combined with an awakening 'Russianness' in

1116-444: 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

1178-419: Is used as the basic foundation for the creation of all Russian professional music. The performance and promulgation of ethnic music in Russia has a long tradition. Initially it was intertwined with various forms of art music, however, in the late 19th century it began to take on a life of its own with the rise in popularity of folkloric ensembles, such as the folk choir movement led by Mitrofan Pyatnitsky and

1240-589: The Czech Republic and China . In December 2019, they celebrated Christmas in Montreal during a week of seven concerts at La Maison Symphonique. 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, while individual members of the choir have faced disqualifications from competitions such as Operalia . Most notable soloists: Current members of

1302-796: The Northern Russian Folk Chorus , the Omsk State Russian Folk Chorus , Beloe Zlato , the Alexandrov Song and Dance Ensemble of the Soviet Army and the Moscow Military Area Song and Dance Ensemble . Instrumental music for a long period was suppressed in Russia. In 1648, Tsar Alexis I of Russia banned the use of certain musical instruments. Some historians believe that skomorokhs singing disrespectful songs about

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1364-723: The Red Army Choir 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

1426-509: The 1960s, folk music in Russia continued to receive significant state support and was often seen as the antithesis of Western pop music . The fact that numerous Soviet folkloric ensembles were invited for foreign tours raised the prestige of the folk performer to that of academic musicians, and in some cases even higher because access to the West and Western goods was very desirable. Ethnic (folk) music in Russia can often be categorized according to

1488-562: The Ensemble since 24 March 2017. On 12 October 2018, the Ensemble celebrated the 90th anniversary of its foundation at a special event at the Bolshoi Theatre . Following this event, the leader of the Ensemble Colonel Gennadiy Sachenyuk announced a worldwide tour. The Ensemble performed concerts produced by Thierry Wolf in various countries including France , Switzerland , Belgium , Serbia ,

1550-542: The Ensemble touring all over the world with famous soloist as Valery Gavva or Vadim Ananeev but also young soloists such as Alexander Kruze or Maxim Maklakov,former soloit of Kraznodar Opera or very young talent such as Sergey Kuznetsov. Under the direction of conductor Gennadiy Sachenyuk In 2006 and 2007, in Moscow and in Vladikavkaz , Grozny , the ensemble performed a New Year fairy tale show for children, Ivan

1612-537: 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. The Red Army Choir singers and dancers were en route to Syria to entertain Russian troops there for Orthodox Christmas celebrations. At the establishment, in 1928, the choir was named Red Army Song Ensemble of

1674-517: The Good, Ivan the Brave , about a soldier helping to save New Year's Day. 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

1736-520: The M. V. Frunze Red Army Central House (Russian: Анса́мбль красноарме́йской пе́сни Центра́льного до́ма Кра́сной А́рмии и́мени М. В. Фру́нзе , romanized : 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 , romanized : Krasnozamyónny ansámbl′ krasnoarméyskoy pésni i plyáski SSSR ). In 1949

1798-476: The Orthodox church services where significant parts are sung. Most of the population was also illiterate and poverty-stricken, so musical instruments were rare, and notation (which is more relevant for instrumentals than vocals) could not be read. Authentic village singing differs from academic singing styles. It is usually done using just the chest register and is often called "white sound" or "white" voice . It

1860-527: The Russian folk instrument movement pioneered by Vasily Andreyev . In Soviet Russia , folk music was categorized as being democratic (of the people) or proletarian (of the working class) as opposed to art music, which was often regarded as being bourgeois. After the revolution, along with proletarian "mass music" (music for the proletarian masses) it received significant support from the state. In post- World War II Russia, proletarian mass music however lost its appeal, whereas folkloric music continued to have

1922-583: The Tsar to instrumental accompaniment could have been the reason. As a result of the ban, instrumental music traditions disappeared and did not have a fertile ground for development in Russia for many years. No musical instruments are used in Orthodox churches (in Russia). In the late 19th century, Vasily Andreyev , a salon violinist, took up the balalaika in his performances for French tourists to Petersburg. The music became popular and soon Andreyev had organized

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1984-527: The West his most famous recording is Kamarinskaya (1963). A. Molostov is the trumpet soloist in " Dark Eyes " in vintage recordings. The bayan-player Victor Gridin is a past member of the orchestra. 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

2046-422: The amount of authenticity in the performance: truly authentic folk music (reproductive performances of traditional music), folkloric and "fakeloric" performance. Russia is a multi-ethnic country with some 300 different ethnic groups, many of them non-Slavic, living within its borders. This article deals specifically with just Russian ethnic music. This music is closely tied in with village life and traditions. It

2108-548: 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

2170-599: The child go to Saint Petersburg to learn music. In 1898, the young peasant boy became a pupil of the Saint Petersburg Court Chapel . 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

2232-498: The choir are listed here. 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 . The orchestra, in what became

2294-480: The choir to Moscow . 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. 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

2356-622: The choir was reformed anew in time for Defender of the Fatherland Day celebrations on 18 February 2017. 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 7 June 2016, Colonel Gennadiy Sachenyuk  [ ru ] became artistic director then main conductor and Head of

2418-414: The distinction is difficult to draw, as in the 19th century, intellectuals would both collect folk music (not always being accurate about their source material) and conflate it with original compositions. In recent times music professionals who have completed diplomas in noted conservatories performing on Russian folk instruments are now questioning their "folkiness" when they perform, as none of their music

2480-531: 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 , romanized : Dvázhdy Krasnoznamyonny órdena Krásnoy Zvezdý ansámbl′ pésni i plyáski Sovétskoy Ármii ímeni A. V. Aleksándrova ). In 1978

2542-657: The ensemble. He served as Orchestral Director and Conductor. Vladimir Gordeev was the principal conductor on the 1988 UK tour. 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

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2604-481: The final portion of the interval act. 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. The plane crashed with no survivors. After 5 weeks,

2666-477: The folk music traditions of the area of their origins which they service. They perform in stylized stage costumes based on the authentic costume designs used in the village but modified for stage use. Most inauthentic – but widespread – was the practice of performing so-called Cossack prisiadki (low-squatting dances) in perfect synchronization; as Professor Laura J. Olson observes, 'this situation did not reflect actual Cossack traditions so much as it borrowed from

2728-715: The last phases of the Tsarist Empire, the movement led to the development and implementation of many other Russian folk instruments. The Russian folk instrument movement had its resonance in the cultures of other ethnic groups within Russia, the Soviet Union , and the Soviet Bloc countries. Folk instrument orchestras appeared in Belarus , Ukraine , Kyrgyzstan , Yugoslavia , Bulgaria , Moldavia , and Romania . The "Ahy luli luli lui” or "Ohy loli loli loi" phrase

2790-412: 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 The Alexandrov children's choir school was founded in 2007. Malev said about the school: It's not

2852-486: 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 ) 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

2914-440: 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. In the ballet are GD Pavlyuchenko, IV Konygina, P.U. Khmelnitski: all Honoured Artist of Russia. In 2019,

2976-421: The orchestra presents ethnic Russian music in a style more similar to classical music. Past soloists include: This article about a Russian band or other musical ensemble is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Ethnic Russian music Anthem of Russia Russian folk music specifically deals with the folk music traditions of the ethnic Russian people . Russian Russian folk music

3038-607: 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

3100-599: 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

3162-478: The public figure who wrote the music to the State Anthem of the Soviet Union . 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

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3224-640: 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. 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

3286-437: The traditions of Russian ballet that dated to the late nineteenth century'. This includes music composed by city intelligentsia and professional composers in a folkloric manner. Much of the music of the Russian folk instrument orchestras can also be categorized in this group as it is based on academic music traditions and playing techniques only taking a folk element as its inspiration. As in all western folklore traditions,

3348-585: The war it was down to 60." 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

3410-399: 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. Born into a peasant family, Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov became the first artistic director of the ensemble, choirmaster, conductor, teacher and

3472-409: Was ever really performed originally by the (village) folk. Some now refer to their music as being academic folk music which to many academic musicians is an oxymoron . Authentic Russian folk music is primarily vocal. Russian folk song was an integral part of daily village life. It was sung from morning to night, and reflected the four seasons and significant events in villagers' lives. Its roots are in

3534-483: 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. 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

3596-544: 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

3658-633: Was succeeded by People's Artist of Russia Igor Agafonnikov the same year, 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 . 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

3720-594: Was the tunic and riding breeches. On 1 January 1970, this was changed to dress uniform, and there have been further variations to the dress uniform as used by the ensemble since 1970. 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

3782-424: 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

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3844-543: Was usually not performed by professional musicians. From the Central Committee's resolution of 1932, which prescribed musical literacy (in parallel to the drive to industrialise the Soviet Union), there has been a marked decline in authentic folk performance practice. Festivals, competitions and the work of ethnomusicologists have made attempts at preserving what has survived. In recent times there has been

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