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Famous Alexandrov Choir to record Russian anthem at Mosfilm Studios

“A regular recording of the anthem is an important cultural event,” chief of the ministry’s department for culture said

MOSCOW, September 23 (Itar-Tass) - Russian filming studio Mosfilm is due to have the first day of a sound recording session where the world-famous Alexandrov Ensemble, broadly known in other countries as the Red Army Choir, will record Russia’s national anthem.

The recording project also involves a number of Russian pop stars and performers of the guitar poetry genre - Oleg Gazmanov, Valeria, Alsu, Stas Mikhailov, and several others, the information department of the Russian Defense Ministry said.

“The classical version of the anthem will be recorded by the choir, orchestra and vocal soloists of the ensemble,” it said.

“A regular recording of the anthem is an important cultural event,” Anton Gubankov, the chief of the ministry’s department for culture said. “On the order of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the anthem will be performed daily from now on at each base of the Armed Forces wherever it is located.”

The current anthem was composed by Alexander Alexandrov in 1944 and had the original lyrics were written by Sergei Mikhalkov and Gabriel El-Registan. Mikhalkov re-edited the lyrics in 1977.

Alexandrov’s score was not performed from 1992 through to 2001 when Russia used a melody composed by the 19th century classic Mikhail Glinka /without lyrics/ as the anthem. It was re-introduced, however, in 2001 upon numerous demands of the rank-and-file Russians and appeals by cultural personalities.

The lyrics again written by Sergei Mikhalkov.

Russian law regards the anthem as one of the three main symbols of the country, along with the state flag and the coat-of-arms. It is performed in official situations in strict compliance with the authorized musical score.

Audiences are expected to stand up to the performance of the anthem and men will normally take their hats off.