Alexander Alexandrov

Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov (Russian: Александр Васильевич Александров) (April 1(13), 1883 - July 8, 1946) was a Russian composer, the founder of the Red Army Choir, who wrote the music for the national anthem of the Soviet Union. In 2001, it became the anthem of the Russian Federation (with new lyrics). He was born on April 13 in Plakhino, a village south-east of Moscow. As a boy his singing was so impressive that he travelled to Saint Petersburg to become a chorister in Kazan Cathedral.