ISTANBUL
Russia’s world-renowned choir and dance ensemble performed the Turkish National Anthem with the same feeling as it would the Russia’s, the orchestra's soloist said Monday.
"The Turkish National Anthem is a very powerful and beautiful [piece of] music," Vadim Ananyev told Anadolu Agency.
On March 11, Turks honor Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the poet who penned the anthem’s lyrics, 82 years after his passing.
The Red Army Choir, or the 'Alexandrov Ensemble' as it is officially called, met music lovers of all stripes in Istanbul as part of the 2019 Russian-Turkish Culture and Tourism Year activities.
Hosted by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the choir performed in various halls with pieces including the Turkish Canakkale Ballad and Sevdan Olmasa (Were it not for your love).
Chief conductor and assistant director of the ensemble, Nikolay Kirillov said their orchestra always received special attention from Turkish audiences.
While underlining that they took every concert seriously and got prepared for every performance "with the same diligence," Kirillov said the group showed special attentiveness in their rehearsals before performing for a Turkish crowd.
"We are aware of the Turkish audience’s interest towards us," he said.
The Red Army Choir has performed three times in the last four days, with concerts planned for the coming three days before their departure.
Established in 1928 in the Central House of the Red Army, the Alexandrov Ensemble has a repertoire of over 2,000 musical pieces. The choir made its first appearance to boost the morale of Russian soldiers and the peoples of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the early years of the Soviet Union.
Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MARCH 10: Russian Alexandrov Red Army choir band, the official army choir of the Russian Armed Forces, perform in Istanbul, Turkey on March 10, 2019. ( Arif Hüdaverdi Yaman - Anadolu Agency )
