Soviet composers #3 – Matvey Blanter, part 1: The Dark-Eyed Cossack Girl

The 3d episode (with English subtitles) is dedicated to the one of the most famous Soviet composers – Matvey Blanter. Leonid Mikhailovich Kharitonov will talk about his creative collaboration with this composer and will tell about the history of the Dark-Eyed Cossack Girl song and its premier with the Alexandrov Red Army Choir in the Albert Hall in London on the March of 1967.

Interesting fact:
This interview was recorded on March 29, 2017 in Moscow by the son of the singer – Mikhail Kharitonov. That is 50 years sharp after the premier of the Dark-Eyed Cossack Girl song in Albert Hall in London (29.03.1967). We didn’t plan this to happen so we think that it’s a mystical coincidence ))

ABOUT THE SERIES:

This episode is a part of the documentary series named “Talking with my father”. I decided to record the conversation with my father, the Russian singer (bass), the People’s Artist of Russia – Leonid Mikhailovich Kharitonov. He also used to work in the legendary Twice Red Bannered Song and Dance Ensemble of the Soviet Army under A.V. Alexandrov (also known as the Red Army Choir or the Alexandrov Ensemble). We want to tell all his admirers about some interesting facts of the famous artist’s life.

In this series, Leonid Mikhailovich will share his memories about his work, his friends and interesting cases from his busy creative life. He will talk about some famous people of the Soviet era, whom he happened to meet on his way: composers, musicians, actors, cosmonauts, military commanders and many others. And, of course, special attention will be paid to the “old school” soloists of his mostly beloved Alexandrov Ensemble.

The recording was made on March 29, 2017 in Moscow by the son of the singer – Mikhail.