#011 Alexandrov Ensemble, Albert Hall, London, live 1963: "Zaparozhtsi Dance"

The Alexandrov Ensemble performs "Zaparozhtsi Dance" or Soldiers' Dance at the Albert Hall, London, 1963. This is the full length recording, replacing the previous truncated one.

This is another fantastic composition from that great showman, Boris Alexandrovich Alexandrov. The big-drum intro may be simple but what could be more exciting? Surely this very clever and witty piece is his homage to Stravinsky; especially the Petruschka. I'm told there are also references to Khachaturian and Tchaikovsky in it. It's well worth listening to this great piece while you're not distracted by the wonderful dancing.

The original recording notes said (translated from the Russian): "Frequently programmed by the ensemble as their concluding number, this gay melody accompanies a dance of flashing sword-play and spectacular leaps."

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?p=D085B99B40D5F4AA

Видео #011 Alexandrov Ensemble, Albert Hall, London, live 1963: "Zaparozhtsi Dance" канала riverhouse2007