Most Epic Red Army Choir Songs

Why was the Red Choir so good at making patriotic songs?

The “Red Army” is the official army choir of the Russian Armed Forces, also known as “Alexandrov Ensemble”.It was formed in 12th October 1928. During the Cold War, it was known for performing propagating Soviet songs.Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov was the first artistic director of the Red Army Ensemble. And he remained as the artistic director for 18 years until his son took his place. He was a major-general, a folk-artist, a composer, and a professor at the Moscow ConservatoryHe believed he could use his music to help Russia and the Soviets during the War. He once said: “How could I help my Motherland, at sixty years of age? I had never held a rifle in my hands and certainly was not a military specialist. And all the same I did hold in my hands a mighty weapon which could strike the enemy- it was the song! What could I give to the front, to the fighters, to the commanders, to the political workers? Songs!”They produced music that were inspired from Russian literature and folklore. They has a mix composition of Russian traditional instruments and western instruments. They blended traditional melodies from folk songs into his music using modern day techniques. One of their more popular and propagating songs is the “Guard Song”, which is a song about the heroism of the guards of the Red Army.

Can the red army choir songs be considered as Russian opera?

I like the Red Army Choir and its music.However, comparing it into an opera, it will not qualify. Why? Because it has been already a military band which similar Church’s performance. It is not belong to opera and never be.The Red Army Choir should not be included into opera. This is how they make their own mask for themselves - the Russian mask and how they increase their role as the greatest pride of Russian music and Russian military.Considering those Red Army Choir to be opera is, rubbish. Don’t do that. That’s all.

What role did the Red Army Choir play in World War 2 and how effective was it?

1) I think your question refers to Academic Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Russian Army named after A. V. Alexandrov, which was official army choir of the Soviet/Russian Army [1].2) I find it difficult to find how "effective" they were. As in my opinion their effectiveness could be measured by how well troops before and after they had "a show", and there is no data availiable for me to check it.So instead here some history on the topic3) During WW2 the was a huge net of Front-line theatrical brigades [2] that were rotating around front-line to make different performances  for the troops.During WW2 there were 1.35 million performances (plays, concerts..)Such brigades operated even in Leningrad when it was besieged. Those artists was not only making performances but participated in fights.One of the most notable performance in Leningrad was  play of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7 when it was played in the besieged city and broadcasted through loudspeakers and radio so that not only whole city can listen but German troops as well.    4) So as far as I understand Red Army Choir was among many others who was doing their best to boost morale of people.According to their site [4] they performed more than 1500 times on the front lines.But in my opinion those performance were just a small fraction of what they did in WW2.There most important part was songs that they wrote, that was broadcasted in USSR. The undoubtedly most notable one "The Sacred War" music for which was written by Alexandrov [5], who was the head of that choir. If you didn't heard it, I definitely recommend to listen to it [6]. What's notable - it was first performed on 26 June 1941, just 4 days since the German attack on 22nd. In ,y opinion if that was the only thing they did in WW2 - it's more than enough.5) Alexandrov did make other songs during that time period (he was making music for Soviet anthem in 1943). And I think that there were other musicians/writers as well. But I don't much about them.[1] Alexandrov Ensemble[2] Фронтовые бригады (театры)[3] Leningrad première of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7[4] Официальный сайт Ансамбля им. А.В. Александрова[5] Александров, Александр Васильевич[6]

What is the opera song with a choir used for horror movies?

It's called "O Fortuna". It is a medieval Latin Goliardic poem written early in the 13th century, part of the collection known as the "Carmina Burana". It is a complaint about fate and Fortuna, the personification of luck in Roman mythology.It goes like this :O Fortunavelut lunastatu variabilis,semper crescisaut decrescis;vita detestabilisnunc obduratet tunc curatludo mentis aciem,egestatem,potestatemdissolvit ut glaciem.Sors immaniset inanis,rota tu volubilis,status malus,vana salussemper dissolubilis,obumbrataet velatamichi quoque niteris;nunc per ludumdorsum nudumfero tui sceleris.Sors salutiset virtutismichi nunc contraria,est affectuset defectussemper in angaria.Hac in horasine moracorde pulsum tangite;quod per sortemsternit fortem,mecum omnes plangite!TranslationO Fortune,like the moonyou are changeable,ever waxingand waning;hateful lifefirst oppressesand then soothesas the sharp mind takes it;povertyand powerit melts them like ice.Fate – monstrousand empty,you whirling wheel,you are malevolent,well-being is vainand always fades to nothing,shadowedand veiledyou plague me too;now through the gameI bring my bare backto your villainy.Fate is against mein healthand virtue,driven onand weighted down,always enslaved.So at this hourwithout delaypluck the vibrating strings;since Fatestrikes down the strong man,everyone weep with me!Source : Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_F...

What are your top 5 military songs?

La Marseillaise, now the French National Anthem - immortalized in the movie Casablanca2. Der Panzerlied - Despite the clip, it isn’t a Nazi song, but a Panzertruppen song. As far as I know it’s still sung in the Bundeswehr. It was sung with gusto at least as late as 1994 when the 12th Panzer Division was a sister unit of the US 3rd Infantry Division and we had a dining out with them.3. Porilaisten marssi (March of the Pori regiment) - Now the Finnish National Anthem. This one is a family favorite. My grandfather served in the regiment prior to WWI and taught the song to my mother4. Battle Cry of Freedom - Highly popular on both sides of the American Civil War, it was still poignantly used in the Ken Burns documentary.5. Lili Marleen - Again, another highly popular song forever associated with both sides of the WWII battles for North Africa