Cоветская Mузыка (Soviet Music)

I have labelled this above "Soviet Music," and it did originate in the Soviet Union, but the music is still being heard today in Russia and other countries. What we have here is the Brass Band of the USSR Ministry of Defense playing the socialist hymn, "The Internationale," and the National Anthem of the Soviet Union, which now has been adopted as the National Anthem of Russia. (The words are different, but that's a moot point with this instrumental version.)

One wouldn't expect socialist hymns and national anthems to be turning up on 45s, but this one did, courtesy of Melodiya, the Soviet state record company. It has a nice picture sleeve with Karl Marx to the fore and Soviet artwork on the rear. I would guess this dates from around 1980. The Band, conducted by one N. Nazarov, recorded all the anthems from the Soviet republics.

This is an enjoyable record; the performances are splendid. The sound is typical Melodiya style - somewhat distant and resonant.