Echoes of a Red Empire [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] [Import]

Soviet Army Ensemble | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 13, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Jasmine Music
• ASIN: B000056V1S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,913 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #26 in Music > World Music > Europe > Eastern Europe > Russia

Editorial Reviews

Historically, the people of Russia have been no stranger to tyranny. However trampled was the spirit of the Russian people during the miseries of Communism, it did produce some very stirring and tuneful music, often based on traditional folk melodies, sometimes operatically inspired. It was also the Communist way to encourage the people to sing about its great triumphs, of which obviously the Great Revolution in 1917 was foremost, followed by the Great Patriotic War, which is how Soviet Russia named its part in the Second World War. Even in the greatest depths of the Cold War, cultural exchanges took place between East and West, led by Moscow s prestigious Bolshoi Ballet. Perhaps surprisingly, also popular in the West was the Russian Army Ensemble; whilst doubtless its ranks contained an appropriate number of KGB agents, it was essentially a large singing and dancing group, and very exuberant and entertaining it was too. This collection evokes memories of visits and recordings by the Russian Army Ensemble and others, and although the subject matter is often very serious and sometimes comical by Western tastes, no one can doubt the tunefulness, vigour and sincerity of the result.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Barely Soviet, August 31, 2001

By 

Oscar Lindau - See all my reviews

This review is from: Echoes of a Red Empire [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] (Audio CD)

This record was not exactly what I hoped for. Only the first part of the songs (the civil war) contains some pieces sung by a huge choir. The rest is performed by small ensembles, which doesn't match with the impression you get of the record's title, namely "Soviet power" music. In addition, the quality of the sound is very poor (and in mono of course).

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Songs from a Turbulent Time, April 22, 2001

By 

Anne B. (Short Hills, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Echoes of a Red Empire [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] (Audio CD)

This collection has a strong representation of martial songs from the Civil War and Great Patriotic War periods sung primarily by Russian army choruses. The older selections are especially moving. With songs like these, one can imagine "bravely marching into battle for Soviet power". The collection also includes the signature "Katyuska", featuring a sweet tenor with the chorus. If you are interested in these periods in Soviet history or if you just want to be fired up by the powerful Red Army chorus, then you should enjoy this CD.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Songs from a Turbulent Time, April 22, 2001

By 

Anne B. (Short Hills, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Echoes of a Red Empire [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] (Audio CD)

This collection has a strong representation of martial songs from the Civil War and Great Patriotic War periods sung primarily by Russian army choruses. The older selections are especially moving. With songs like these, one can imagine "bravely marching into battle for Soviet power". The collection also includes the signature "Katyuska", featuring a sweet tenor with the chorus. If you are interested in these periods in Soviet history or if you just want to be fired up by the powerful Red Army chorus, then you should enjoy this CD.