#006 Alexandrov Ensemble, Albert Hall, London, live 1963 " Kalinka"

Evgeny Mikhailovich Belyaev (Евгений Михайлович Беляев) sings "Kalinka" with the Alexandrov Ensemble, conducted by B.A. Alexandrov, at the Albert Hall, London, 1963.

I think this is probably the best ever recording of this song. This is the actual live performance at which Belyaev earned his title of Mr Kalinka in the UK. It is the performance at which the stuffy and snobbish London critics fell at his feet. Just listen to it and compare it with any other recording.

Translation of lyrics as on original recording:
"Make my couch beneath the green pine tree. Do not whisper above me, pine tree; let me dream of my beloved."

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 #006 Alexandrov Ensemble, Albert Hall, London, live 1963 " Kalinka" канала riverhouse2007