#009 Alexandrov Ensemble, Albert Hall, London, live 1963: "Ukrainian Poem"

Alexei Tikhonovich Sergeev (Алексей Тихонович Сергеев) sings "Ukrainian Poem" with the Alexandrov Ensemble, conducted by B.A. Alexandrov, at the Albert Hall, London, 1963. Music by A. V. Alexandrov; words by O. Kolychev (or possibly by Taras Shevchenko?).

TURN UP THE SOUND FOR THIS ONE, TO GET THE FULL EFFECT OF THE MAGNIFICENT FINALE. A.V. Alexandrov has created a full-blown aria here, with all the bells and whistles. No wonder the London critics fell at the feet of the Ensemble. and the Brits hearing the recordings on the radio would stop and listen, open-mouthed.

Translation of notes on original recording:
"This song recounts how, in 1942, all of the Ukraine was under German occupation. Ancient Kiev and the Dnieper River were cut off from the rest of the country. Then the Soviet Army attacked, driving off the enemy and liberating towns and villages, where they were hailed and welcomed with joy by the population."

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.

Sergeev was born in 1919 and performed with the Ensemble from 1940 to 1968.

Albert Hall 1963 playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D085B99B40D5F4AA

Видео #009 Alexandrov Ensemble, Albert Hall, London, live 1963: "Ukrainian Poem" канала riverhouse2007