Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov

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Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov (April 13, 1883 – July 8, 1946) was a Soviet and Russian composer and the founder of the Alexandrov Ensemble. He wrote the music for the State Anthem of the Soviet Union, which in 2000 became the National Anthem of Russia with new lyrics.

Early life and education:
He was born in Plakhino, Ryazan Governorate. As a boy, his singing impressed people so much that he went to Saint Petersburg to become a choir boy at Kazan Cathedral. He studied composition in Saint Petersburg and Moscow and was a pupil of Medtner.

Career:
Alexandrov became a professor of music at the Moscow Conservatory in 1918 and was choirmaster at Christ the Savior from 1918 to 1922. He founded the Alexandrov Ensemble and led it for many years, earning the favor of Joseph Stalin. The choir performed at the 1937 Universal Exposition in Paris.

Anthem, marches and folk music:
In 1942, Stalin asked Alexandrov, with lyricists Sergey Mikhalkov and Gabriel El-Registan, to create a new Soviet national anthem. It was adopted on January 1, 1944 and was used until 1991. It became the Russian national anthem again in December 2000 with new lyrics by Mikhalkov. Alexandrov also wrote the wartime song "The Sacred War" (1941) and the official march of the armed forces, the Song of the Soviet Army. He arranged many Russian folk songs, such as "Utushka lugovaya."

Death and honors:
Alexandrov died of a heart attack on July 8, 1946, while on tour in Berlin. He was 63. He is buried at Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow. He was named People’s Artist of the USSR, received two Stalin Prizes, and was recognized as Doctor of Arts.