- Title: RUSSIA: International military bands festival opens in Moscow
- Date: 6th September 2010
- Summary: VARIOUS OF "THE CROSS SWORDS PIPES AND DRUMS" ORCHESTRA OF THE EUROPEAN UNION PERFORMING ON RED SQUARE SPECTATORS "THE CROSS SWORDS PIPES AND DRUMS" BAND OF EUROPEAN UNION PERFORMING ON RED SQUARE VARIOUS OF BAHREIN KINGDOM POLICE ORCHESTRA PERFORMING ON RED SQUARE VARIOUS OF FIREWORKS OVER ST.BASIL'S MILITARY BANDS LEAVING RED SQUARE
- Embargoed: 21st September 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Defence / Military
- Reuters ID: LVA5HGNUPG2ULW6BR1SP8PIU84XZ
- Story Text: International military bands festival opened on Moscow's Red Square with a grand show, involving over 1,000 military musicians from nine countries.
International military bands festival "Spasskaya Bashnya", or the Kremlin's Saviour Tower, opened on Moscow's Red Square on Saturday (September 4) with a grand show, involving over 1,000 military musicians from nine countries and a combined orchestra of the European Union.
The organisers broke off with the tradition that the military bands usually perform either at parade or funeral and threw a spectacular show.
It is the third festival of military bands in Moscow. This year along with military bands from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Ukraine, that have been patterned on Russian bands, with musicians trained at Russian military music institutes. Musicians from Germany, France, US, Israel and Bahrain are taking part as well.
"I have seen such shows on television many times, but in real life - it is the first time. I think it is great," said Maria who came to see the opening show at the Red Square.
"I love military, especially military orchestras, and I absolutely adore military orchestra's conductors, especially our [Russia's Chief Military Conductor, Lieutenant-General Valery] Khalilov," said Larisa, who visited several performances during the previous festivals.
This year's program varies from classical music and military marches to the World War II-era popular melodies, and even to Michael Jackson hits.
The high-light of the opening show was the performance of "The Crossed Swords Pipes and Drums Orchestra" of the European Union. The orchestra combines bagpipe fans and drummers from various EU countries. The youngest musician of the orchestra is 14, the oldest is 87 years old.
The most unusual for the Moscow's audience was the performance by the Bahrain police Orchestra.
The festival will last five days, with military bands performing at various parts of Moscow throughout the day and with daily evening shows on the Red Square.
The closing ceremony will take place on September 9. The renowned French singer Mireille Mathieu, is expected to perform to the accompaniment of military orchestras in Moscow's Red Square that night. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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