Boris Alexandrovich Alexandrov

Boris Alexandrovich Alexandrov
Boris A. Alexandrov
Born	(1905-08-04)August 4, 1905 Bologoye, Novgorod Governorate, Russian Empire
Died	June 17, 1994(1994-06-17) (aged 88) Moscow, Russian Federation
Resting place	Novodevichy Cemetery
Known for	Leader of the Alexandrov Ensemble
Parent(s)	Alexander V. Alexandrov (father)
Military career
Rank	Major General
Awards

Boris Alexandrovich Alexandrov (Russian: Борис Александрович Александров, August 4, 1905 Bologoye – June 17, 1994 Moscow) was a Soviet Russian composer, and, from 1946 to 1986, the second head of the Alexandrov Ensemble which was founded by his father, Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov. Alexandrov reached the rank of Major-General and was awarded the order of Hero of Socialist Labour, the Lenin Prize and the State Prize of the USSR, and named People's Artist of the USSR. Music by Alexandrov is used for the Anthem of Transnistria.

He began his musical career, aged 13, as a viola player and in the children's choir at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, performing alongside singers such as Feodor Chaliapin. From 1923 to 1929 he attended the Moscow Conservatory, taught by RM Gliere. From 1929 to 1937 he ran the music department of the newly established Central Theatre of the Red Army and from 1933 to 1941 was associate professor of Moscow Conservatory. In 1937, he became the deputy artistic director of the Alexandrov Ensemble. He was also a composer, writing in various genres of symphonic and chamber instrumental music.

During World War II, Boris Alexandrov, with his father, led the ensemble in All-Union radio concerts and over 1500 concerts at the Front, officially to actively promote Russian folk music and the songs of Soviet composers and folk music for the sake of patriotism and morale. During this time, Boris shouldered increasing responsibility, due to his father's heart condition. After Alexandrov's death in 1946, Boris Alexandrov, his son, went on to succeed his father as musical director for the ensemble .