Remembering the Alexandrov Ensemble

The Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble is one of Russia's best performing arts ensembles with a special focus on the men's choir. Over the years, they have traveled around the world numerous times, delivering vocal music and dance to hundreds of thousands of people in different countries. The most impressive was their men's choir, packed with incredible talent and beautifully powerful voice, and full of passion and energy. Unfortunately, on December 25th, 2016, 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensembled died when the plane they were traveling on crashed by accident, on their way to Syria to perform for the Russian troops fighting ISIS in the front line.

Last Friday evening some of the Russian musicians in the Washington DC area held a charity concert in the Russian embassy to remember those performing artists who died in the accident. My wife and I, being Russian music enthusiasts, were in attendance. It was our first trip to the Russian embassy, and Russian soil, since we have never been to Russia.

The atmosphere there was not really somber or dignified. It was rather a little festive, despite heavy security presence. It seemed that people were really celebrating the lives and legacy of those being membered, the joy they had brought to others, and the beautiful memories they left. We enjoyed Vodka, wine, Russian delicacies, and, pleasant conversations with a nice Russian couple, before the concert. 

The concert was fantastic. The talented Russian musicians, joined by a Mexican born violinist, performed songs of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Borodin, and others. It was our first experience of Russia, and a very nice one.

Some pictures taken that evening at the event.

And, one of my favorite Russian songs - Farewell of Slavianka