| Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Born in Germany, French citizen and living in Mexico...
Posts: 339
| I've come up with this matériel which gathers both, WWII and music, in a very interesting combination —which I intend to expand later.
It's about all Russian national anthems, because, I believe, is the nation with the richest and perhaps, best tradition in this respect in the whole world. Even if "God Save the King" (unknown author), "Deutschland über Alles" (Haydn), "The Star Spangled Banner" (Stafford Smith) or "La Marseillaise" (Rouget de Lisle) are very beautiful, the Soviet —now Russian— national anthem (Alexándrov) is simply beyond limits. The first time I listened to it I couldn't believe something could be so patriotic and beautiful at the same time. If you don't believe, see the links below.
________________________________________________  - First, let's start by saying that the very first Russian national anthem that can be found is "Mólitva russkikh" (The Prayer of Russians) of 1815, a beautiful prayer with the music of "God Save the King" with lyrics by Vasilí Zhúkovski.
- Then, in 1833 Russia adopted her first oficial national anthem, "Bozhe, Zharya khrani" (God Save The Czar), after a competition. The composer was violinist Prince Alexéi Fiódorovich Lvov, and the lyrics were by court poet and friend of Alexander Pushkin, Vasilí Zhúkovski.
"Bozhe Zharya khrani!
Sil'ní, derzhavní,
Zharstvui na slavu,
na slavu nam!
Zharstvui na strah vragam,
Zhar' pravoslavni.
Bozhe Zharya, Zharya khrani!
Zharya khrani!
(God save the noble Tsar!
Long may he live, in power,
In happiness,
In peace to reign!
Dread of his enemies,
Faith's sure defender,
God save the Tsar!
God save the Tsar!)"
- During the February Revolution in 1917, "Otrehchemsia ot starogo mira" (the 1875 Russian lyrics to "La Marseillaise" [by Mireille Mathieu] by P. Lavrov) was adopted by the Provisional Government.
- After the October Revolution, the most famous socialist song was adopted by the Soviet Union as national anthem until replaced in 1944. Originally, it was written by Eugène Pottier in 1871 and the music by Pierre Degeyter in 1888 (the song was originally intended to be sung on the tune of La Marseillaise). It was translated into many languages.
"Arise ye workers from your slumbers
Arise ye prisoners of want
For reason in revolt now thunders
And at last ends the age of cant.
Away with all your superstitions
Servile masses arise, arise
We'll change henceforth the old tradition
And spurn the dust to win the prize.
Chorus
So comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face
The Internationale
unites the human race.
No more deluded by reaction
On tyrants only we'll make war
The soldiers too will take strike action
They'll break ranks and fight no more
And if those cannibals keep trying
To sacrifice us to their pride
They soon shall hear the bullets flying
We'll shoot the generals on our own side.
No saviour from on high delivers
No faith have we in prince or peer
Our own right hand the chains must shiver
Chains of hatred, greed and fear
E'er the thieves will out with their booty
And give to all a happier lot.
Each at the forge must do their duty
And we'll strike while the iron is hot."
"The International" by choir and orchestra of Bolshoi Theatre, conducted by G.XRozhdiéstvienski (1977) [The most beautiful recording, definately]
"The International" first verse in Russian, followed by the US anthem; by Metropolitan Opera ChorusX& National Broadcasting Company Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Arturo Toscanini (NewXYork, 1941)] [Bizarre, but incredibly well-performed by one of the best conductors of the XX Century]
"The International" by Berlin Regimental Band Wachregiment Berlin, conducted by Guido Grosch (recorded by German Radio Company, 1936). [This is the only official recording of Soviet anthem made in Nazi Germany, for the 1936 Olympics (inXwhich Soviet Union did not participate), which shows that Nazism screwed everything. It's an awful version!]
"The International" by Billy Bragg [In English]
- In 1944, Stalin, having realised since the beginning of The Great Patriotic War that nationalism rather than international communism had a deeper propaganda effect, ordered the creation of a national anthem for the Soviet Union alone. The result was the most beautiful national anthem in the world, "Gimn Soviétskogo Soyuza (Soviet Union Anthem), written by Serguéi Mikhálkov and Garold El-Registán and the musicXby Alexander Alexándrov, released on May 1st 1944.
[i]"Soyuz nerushimiy respublik svobodnykh
Splotila naveki velikaya Rus'!
Da zdravstvuet sozdanniy voley narodov
Yediniy, moguchiy Sovetskiy Soyuz!
Slavsya Otechestvo nashe svobodnoye,
Druzhbi narodov nadyozhniy oplot,
Znamya sovetskoe, znamya narodnoye
Pust' ot pobedy k pobede vedyot!
Skvoz' grozy siyalo nam solntse svobodi,
I Lenin velikiy nam put' ozaril,
Nas vyrastil Stalin -- na vernost' narodi,
Na trud i na podvigi nas vdokhnovil!
Slavsya Otechestvo nashe svobodnoye,
Schast'ya narodov nadyozhniy oplot,
Znamya sovetskoe, znamya narodnoye
Pust' ot pobedy k pobede vedyot!
My armiyu nashu rastili v srazhen'yax,
Zaxvatchikov podlyx s dorogi smetëm!
My v bitvax reshaem sud'bu pokolenij,
My k slave Otchiznu svoyu povedëm!
Slavsya Otechestvo nashe svobodnoye,
Slavy narodov nadyozhniy oplot,
Znamya sovetskoe, znamya narodnoye
Pust' ot pobedy k pobede vedyot!
(United forever in friendship and labor,
Our mighty republics will ever endure.
The great Soviet Union will live through the ages.
The dream of a people their fortress secure.
CHORUS:
Long live our Soviet Motherland, built by the people's mighty hand.
Long live our People, united and free.
Strong in our friendship tried by fire. Long may our crimson flag inspire,
Shining in glory for all men to see.
Through days dark and stormy where Great Lenin led us
Our eyes saw the bright sun of freedom above
and Stalin our Leader with faith in the People,
Inspired us to build up the land that we love.
CHORUS
We fought for the future, destroyed the invader,
and brought to our homeland the Laurels of Fame.
Our glory will live in the memory of nations
and all generations will honour her name.
CHORUS")
by Red Army choir and orchestra, 194? [With very Russian rythm]
by Patriarchal choir directed by Víktor Komárov, accompanied by organ (performed on concert to 500 year anniversary of autocephaly of Russian Orthodox Church on JulyX16,X1948 in the Great hall of Moscow Conservatory) [Just beautiful! Very religious]
June 24th 1945, Victory Parade in Moscow [Excellent! With gusn firing, cries of patriotism, you can actually feel the joy of the victorious people!]
in English by bass Paul Robeson [Magnificently sung. Incredibly, it sounds very, very nice in English]
- In the 1950s the anthem was played without lyrics because they were politically unacceptable, due to the Stalin-phraising verses.
only music [Nice, but it lacks the special touch of the singing…]
- In 1977 a new version of the "Soviet Union Anthem" was released with different lyrics by Serguéi Mikhálkov:
"Soy'ooz neroosh'imi resp'ooblik svob'odnikhX
Splot'ila nav'eki vel'ikaia RusX
Da zdr'avstvooyet sozdanni voley nar'odovX
Yed'ini mog'oochi Sov'etski Soy'oozX
Sl'avsa ot'echestvo n'ashe svob'odnoyeX
Dr'oojbi nar'odov nady'ojni opl'otX
P'artia L'enina, - s'ila narodnayaX
Nas k torjestv'oo kommun'izma vedy'otX
Skvoz g'odi siy'alo nam s'ontse svob'oodiX
I L'enin vel'iki nam put ozar'ilX
Na pr'avoye d'elo on p'odnal nar'odiX
na tr'ood i na p'odvigi nas vdokhnov'ilX
Sl'avsa ot'echestvo n'ashe svob'odnoyeX
Dr'oojbi nar'odov nady'ojni opl'otX
P'artia L'enina, - s'ila narodnayaX
Nas k torjestv'oo kommun'izma vedy'otX
V pob'ede bessm'ertnih idey kommoon'izmaX
Mi v'idim grad'oosheye n'ashey straniX
I kr'asnomoo zn'ameni sl'avnoj otch'izniX
Mi b'oodem vsegd'a bezav'etno verniX
Sl'avsa ot'echestvo n'ashe svob'odnoyeX
Dr'oojbi nar'odov nady'ojni opl'otX
P'artia L'enina, - s'ila narodnayaX
Nas k torjestv'oo kommun'izma vedy'ot
(Unbreakable Union of freeborn Republics,
Great Russia has welded forever to stand.
Created in struggle by will of the people,
United and mighty, our Soviet land!
Sing to the Motherland, home of the free,
Bulwark of peoples in brotherhood strong.
O Party of Lenin, the strength of the people,
To Communism's triumph lead us on!
Through tempests the sunrays of freedom have
cheered us,
Along the new path where great Lenin did lead.
To a righteous cause he raised up the peoples,
Inspired them to labor and valorous deed.
[Or, the old way:
Be true to the people, thus Stalin has reared us,
Inspire us to labor and valorous deed!]
Sing to the Motherland, home of the free,
Bulwark of peoples in brotherhood strong.
O Party of Lenin, the strength of the people,
To Communism's triumph lead us on!
In the vict'ry of Communism's deathless ideal,
We see the future of our dear land.
And to her fluttering scarlet banner,
Selflessly true we always shall stand!)"
by Bolshoi Theatre's choir and orchestra [Excellent version!]
by Red Army's choir and orchestra [Greatest version! There's nothing as patriotic as this recording]
- In 1991 the "Patriotic Song" was adopted by the new Russian Federation, with music by one of the greatest Russian composers of all times: Mikhaíl Ivánovich Glinka (part of his opera "Live for the Tsar".
by New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Seiji Ozawa, 1998. [Beautiful music, great recording!]
In 2000 there was a competition to include lyrics in the anthem. Here's the winning version:
"Slavsya, Slavsya, rodina Rossiya!
Skvoz vyeka i grozi ti proshla!
I siyayet solntsye nad toboi
I sudba tvoya svetla!
Nad starinnim moskovskim Kremlem
Vetsya znamya s dvuglavim orlom
I zvutchat svyashyenniye slova:
Slavsya, Rus - Otchizna moya!
(Viva La Russia!
Be glorious, be glorious, native land- Russia!
You passed through the centuries and the thunderstorms
And shines the sun above you I fate your it is bright.
Above the ancient Moscow Kremlin is twisted the banner with the two-headed eagle they sound the sacred words:
Be glorious, Russia - Motherland!)"
vocal version [Very, very well-sung!]
- In the year 2000, Vladímir Putin re-instored the old anthem with complete new lyrics by Serguéi Mikhálkov.
"Himn of the Russian Federation
Rossiya — svyashchennaya nasha derzhava,
Rossiya — lyubimaya nasha strana.
Moguchaya volya, velikaya slava —
Tvoe dostoyan’e na vse vremena!
Pripev:
Slav’sya, Otechestvo nashe svobodnoe,
Bratskikh narodov soyuz vekovoy,
Predkami dannaya mudrost’ narodnaya!
Slav’sya, strana! My gordimsya toboy!
Ot yuzhnykh morey do polyarnogo kraya
Raskinulis’ nashi lesa i polya.
Odna ty na svete! Odna ty takaya —
Khranimaya Bogom rodnaya zemlya!
Pripev
Shirokiy prostor dlya mechty i dlya zhizni.
Gryadushchie nam otkryvayut goda.
Nam silu daet nasha vernost’ Otchizne.
Tak bylo, tak est’ i tak budet vsegda!
Pripev
(Russia — our holy country,
Russia — our beloved country.
A mighty will, a great glory —
Are your inheritance for all times!
Refrain:
Be glorious, our free Fatherland!
Eternal union of fraternal peoples,
Common wisdom given by our forebears,
Be glorious, our country! We are proud of you!
From the southern seas to the polar region
spread our forests and fields.
You are unique in the world, inimitable,
Native land protected by God!
Refrain
Wide spaces for dreams and for living
Are opened for us by the coming years
Faithfulness to our country gives us strength
Thus it was, so it is and always will be!
Refrain)"
by Marinski Theatre Child Choir, St. Petersburg [Very nice!]
by Bloshoi Theatre's Choir and Orchestra, Moscow [AMAZING! The most beautiful version of the most beautiful anthem ever!]
_____________________________________
Now, take your time to download those .mp3s. You'll enjoy it! You have my word!   
__________________
"Only the dead will know the end of the war" Plato "Tempus edax rerum" (Time devours all) Ovidious "Vivire militare est" (To live is to fight) Seneca "Tout est perdu forst l'honneur!" (Everything is lost, but the honour!) François I of France.  |
14-10-2004, 06:42 PM
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