Tune of the Day: God Save the Tsar!
This song, composed by violinist Alexei Lvov, was chosen as the national anthem of the Russian Empire in a competition held in 1833. It was the anthem until the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Many composers made use of the theme in their compositions, most notably Tchaikovsky, who quoted it in the 1812 Overture, the Marche Slave, his overture on the Danish national anthem, and the Festival Coronation March. During the Soviet era, authorities altered Tchaikovsky's music, substituting other patriotic melodies, such as the “Glory” chorus from Mikhail Glinka's opera A Life for the Tsar, for “God Save the Tsar”. Charles Gounod used the theme in his Fantaisie sur l'Hymne National Russe (Fantasy on the Russian National Hymn).
Today, Lvov's melody is used with different lyrics for various institutional songs: “Hail, Pennsylvania!” (alma mater of the University of Pennsylvania), “Dear Old Macalester” (alma mater of Macalester College), “Hail, Delta Upsilon” (Delta Upsilon Fraternity), “Firm Bound in Brotherhood” (official song of the Order of the Arrow), and many others.
Maurice Jarre's score for the famous film 1965 film Doctor Zhivago also uses this song in several tracks, most notably in the Overture.
Thanks to Steve for suggesting this tune!