Message of Condolence to the Alexandrov Ensemble
and the People of Russia
by Helga Zepp-LaRouche
December 2016
On December 30, 2016, the Schiller Institute Chorus paid a musical tribute to the victims of the Christmas day crash of the Tu-154 airplane in the Black Sea on its way to Syria, killing all 92 passengers and crew, among them the world-famous Alexandrov Ensemble. The Schiller Chorus gathered at the Russian Consulate in Manhattan, New York City, presenting flowers and singing the “Gloria” Chorale from Bach's Cantata BWV 140, “Wachet Auf,” and the Russian national anthem, in Russian.
They presented the statement "Message of Condolence to the Alexandrov Ensemble and the People of Russia," written by Schiller Institute founder Helga Zepp-LaRouche (see below), which was gratefully received and forwarded to various government offices.
The 3 1/2 minute video of the Schiller Institute members, below, singing the Russian National Anthem is circulating on numerous websites, in Russian, in English, in German, and other languages, and nearly all of the thousands of comments posted expressed deep gratitude, and the hope that this cultural expression marks the beginning of a new relationship between the American and the Russian people, as the new Administration comes in.
We have also included a video excerpt below from a moving performance that the Alexandrov Ensemble presented in 2011, on the tenth anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attack against in the United States, as an expression of solidarity with America.
| First video: The Schiller Institute Chorus lays flowers at the wreath in front of the Russian Consulate in New York City, then sings the “Gloria” Chorale from Bach's Cantata,“Wachet Auf”. |
| Second video: The Schiller Institute Chorus sings the Russian national anthem. |
 Helga Zepp-LaRouche |
Helga Zepp-LaRouche's Message of Condolence:
In the name of the International Schiller Institute, I wish to express our deep condolences for the tragic loss of the the 92 human beings who died in the plane crash on the way to Syria. This accident is all the more a cause for sadness, as the music and patriotic spirit characteristic of the members of the Alexandrov Ensemble would have brought a message of hope to the people of Syria. This is a population victimized by more than five years of the criminal policies of regime change and treated as the pawns in a geopolitical game in complete violation of their sovereignity.
The Alexandrov Ensemble has been an expression of the highest moral values of Russia and, like classical choral singing in general, speaks to the soul and the creative potential of the audience. It is therefore extremely important that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that he is initiating auditions to pick the best talents to fully restore the Alexandrov Chorus.
| Third video: excerpt from a performance done by the Alexandrov Ensemble in 2011, on the tenth anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attack against in the United States, as an expression of solidarity with America. |
The training of the singing voice is important for everybody, since a well-placed voice can express the creative intention of the composer and directly speak to the same faculty in the audience. It represents, therefore, an irreplaceable element of the harmonious development of the character. Let me therefore share with you the idea that, in addition to rebuilding the Alexandrov Ensemble, thousands of Alexandrov choruses be established in schools all over Russia to honor the heroic contribution of Russia in the liberation of Syria and, at the same time, broaden the uplifting effect of choral singing to the young generation.
There is a New Paradigm in the process of becoming as exemplified by the integration of the Eurasian Union and the New Silk Road Initiative, establishing a completely new kind of relations among nations. We need a dialogue of the best tradtions of each culture for this New Paradigm to grow into a new era of civilization—the knowledge of the best of another culture will lead to a love for it, and therefore supercede xenophobia and hatred with more noble emotions. In this new era, geopolitics will be overcome forever and the dedication to the common aims of mankind will establish a higher level of reason. It is a reason for consolation for all of us, that the tragic death of the victims of the plane crash contribute with their immortality to the building of that better world.
Helga Zepp-LaRouche
Founder, Schiller Institute
