Stenka Razin ( Volga Volga ) Russian Red Army Choir

Old Russian Ballad Stenka Razin has the distinction of being the first Russian dramatic silent film production a tribute to the determination of its producer, Aleksandr Drankov. When his first seventeen actualities failed to win serious attention in early 1908, he answered the widespread call for Russianmade films with Stenka Razin. This account of the popular brigand leader who dallied with a captured Persian princess was adapted from a traditional ballad From the Island to the Deep Stream and Drankov commissioned original music to accompany his film from no less than Ippolitovlvanov, then head of the Moscow Conservatoire. Energetic promotion ensured the film s commercial success and launched Drankov s career as a producer. The Ballad of Stenka Razin From beyond the wooded island To the river wide and free Proudly sailed the arrowbreasted Ships of Cossack yeomanry. On the first is Stenka Razin With his princess by his side Drunke