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Alexandrov Ensemble: Remembering the Red Army choir

On December 25, the Russian military choir lost most of its singers in a plane crash

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Boris Alexandrov (second left), composer and principal conductor of the Alexandrov Ensemble, with the artists, 1985

© Yuri Lizunov/TASS

Alexandrov Ensemble's dancers, 1970

© Vladimir Savostyanov/TASS

Alexandrov Ensemble and the Boys Choir of the Moscow Choral School performing at a concert, 1970

© Vladimir Savostyanov/TASS

Alexandrov Ensemble's artists perform Cavalry dance, 1989

© Viktor Velikzhanin, Lyudmila Pakhomova/TASS

Soloist of the Alexandrov Ensemble Vadim Ruslanov, 1970

© Vladimir Savostyanov/TASS

Alexandrov Ensemble's performance, 1985

© Yuri Lizunov/TASS

Alexandrov Ensemble recording a new version of the Russian national anthem at Mosfilm Studio, 2013

© Artyom Korotayev/TASS

Alexandrov Ensemble performing for Pope John Paul II inside Nervi's hall at the Vatican, 2004

© EPA/FILIPPO MONTEFORTE

The Alexandrov Ensemble, an official army choir of the Russian armed forces, was founded during the Soviet era. It is named for its first director, Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov (1883–1946). The ensemble consisting of a male choir, an orchestra, and a dance group was famous both in Russia and throughout the world. On December 25, the Alexandrov Ensemble lost 64 members, who were supposed to fly to Syria to perform before the Russian troops. The Russian Defense Ministry has promised that the ensemble's name will not perish.

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