Category: Music

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Following its separation from the state holding company and privatization in 2020, the new private owner, Formax, invested approximately 150 million rubles in reviving the full record production cycle. A key decision was a shift in strategy: Melodiya is once again becoming not only the copyright holder of a gigantic archive but also the manufacturer. This decision was made amidst a sustained interest in vinyl among young people—in 2024, record sales on marketplaces grew by more than 88%. The founders emphasize that this is a natural continuation of musical traditions in the country and a logical step for a brand that Russians still associate with records.

This event marks the end of a long period when the brand, having lost its own production facilities after 1991, existed solely as an archival label and publisher, pressing vinyl at third-party factories in Europe. Now, the entire process—from remastering the original master tapes from which the vinyl records are copied, to pressing and packaging—is controlled by the company. The facility is designed to produce at least 100,000 records per year. Records are pressed using matrices made from the original master tapes.

The first releases are already available: the cult electronic album "Disco Alliance" by Zodiac, "Po volne moego pamiat" (On the Wave of My Memory) by David Tukhmanov, which has remained a hit for 50 years, the landmark album by VIA "Dos-Mukasan," and an updated version of a popular autogenic training song from the 1980s. Plans include more than 20 new pressings, including classical, pop, and children's fairy tales, as well as commissioned releases for third-party labels and artists. Melodiya hopes to capture up to half of the Russian vinyl market and is also considering the project with an eye toward export, reasserting itself as a major industrial player in the world of music.

Ivan Otvagin, December 12, 2025

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Firma Melodiya has launched its own vinyl record production facility in Novosibirsk. The decision was made due to the high demand for analog media. The first batch of releases is already available for sale.

"The revival of production under the Melodiya brand is a natural development of musical traditions in our country, which will allow the plant to become a worthy successor to the Soviet Melodiya plants," stated the company's CEO, Andrey Krichevsky. The first record released at the new facility was a Soviet autogenic training track from the 1980s, a recording developed by doctors at the Energetik sanatorium in Yalta as part of a healthy lifestyle course.

The initial batch also included iconic albums: "Po volne moe pamiat" (On the Wave of My Memory) by David Tukhmanov, "Disco Alliance" by the Latvian band Zodiac, and the debut album by the Kazakh VIA "Dos-Mukasan." The plant plans to expand its lineup and release records commissioned by artists and labels. The plant's capacity allows for the production of up to 100,000 records per year.

Semyon Nosov, December 16, 2025

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Melodiya's return to the world of vinyl is an event the industry has been talking about for years. Denis Boyarinov recalls how the label survived the 1990s, why the art of pressing records was lost in Russia, and the rationale behind the choice of its first releases.

The news that Melodiya had launched its own vinyl pressing plant in Novosibirsk and was once again pressing records in-house was a true joy for me. I've been following the company's fortunes for a long time—especially as a journalist, since the mid-2000s—and I know its post-Soviet history well. There were moments when Melodiya itself and its unique archive of audio recordings threatened to simply disappear. It's no secret that many—government officials and entrepreneurs alike—saw Melodiya's value only in its former premises on Tverskoy Boulevard. These were the darkest times: the fate of a company that embodied the entire history of Russian recordings, along with its vast archive of phonograms, an entire layer of the country's audio history, hung in the balance. All of this might simply not survive to this day.

When Melodiya ceased to be a state-owned company and became an independent private enterprise, continuing its work—preserving and researching audio archives, reissuing recordings, and even producing new phonograms—one crucial element was still missing: in-house record production. So, I was extremely excited about the launch of the new plant—incidentally, only the second in Russia. Especially since they managed to select the equipment, fine-tune the manufacturing processes, and launch replication in just a year, which is no easy feat technologically.

In Soviet times, Melodiya was the world's largest record label: several factories, several recording studios, a vast distribution network, and records sold in the millions. I have no illusions that we can return to those times—and there's no need. But having its own factory today means that it will be much easier for Melodiya to press records, which means they will ultimately be more affordable. It will also make it easier for other Russian labels and companies to press vinyl in Russia. What could be wrong with that?

When discussing the quality of Melodiya's new records, it's important to understand that vinyl pressing is essentially a handcrafted process, a delicate one with a high probability of defects. Even the weather affects record printing. It's far more complex than, say, publishing a book or reproducing a CD. The art of record production—and it is an art—was completely lost in Russia by the early 21st century: Melodiya's last pressing plants were dismantled and sold for spare parts in the early 1990s. These spare parts later surfaced in Europe, where skilled craftsmen assembled them into working production lines and, ironically, used them to press records for Russia, among others. In Russia, for a long time, no one even attempted to make vinyl. The first and, until recently, only full-cycle plant, Ultra Production, only opened in 2014.

Now Melodiya has joined the revival of lost art and forgotten technologies: they've found specialists who worked in Soviet factories, consult with them, and train young people. We'll find out how well Melodiya's own records will sound—we'll listen to them and compare—but the important thing is that the process has finally begun.

As for the choice of releases for the first wave of reissues, it seems quite logical to me. It might surprise the average listener, but for those interested in Soviet and "melody" vinyl, there are almost no surprises. Moreover, in my Telegram channel "Red Book", which is dedicated specifically to vinyl and Soviet musical heritage, some experts even criticized the selection for not being "rarity enough." I, however, see a clear internal logic to it.

David Tukhmanov's "On the Wave of My Memory" and Zodiac's "Disco Alliance" are both iconic and popular records for people born in the 1970s and 1980s. Their reissue on Melodiya's own, newly established Russian vinyl press has not only commercial but also symbolic significance. Moreover, these albums were first reissued at the Ultra Production plant, allowing them to be directly compared to the Novosibirsk Melodiya releases. Initial reviews suggest that the new Novosibirsk pressings sound better, confirming that the production process has been streamlined.

It's also important to remember that the Soviet editions of "Po volne moego pamiaty" and "Disco Alliance," which can be found in record shops and online stores today, sound different. It's not just that they're full of grit—old records suffer greatly with age. Modern vinyl reissues are tailored to today's listeners: the soundstage is structured differently, and even the bass sounds different—deeper and richer. It's akin to restoring classic films for modern cinemas—an attempt to bridge the gap created by technological advances.

The reissue of the debut album by the first Kazakh rock band, Dos-Mukasan, is another very precise and important step. This record is quite rare, and the originals are expensive, but now it will be much more accessible—in a new edition specially mastered for vinyl.

The release of the album "Autogenic Training Against Alcohol and Smoking" isn't just a joke for the initiated, but also an excellent example of the amazing recordings that can be found in Melodiya's catalog and the additional historical dimension each of them receives in the new edition.

What's worth reissuing next? Melodiya has a wealth of interesting material in its archives: cool, rare, obscure, and simply stunning music, ranging from the masters of Russian classical music to the folklore of vanishing peoples and countries. I know that Melodiya employees closely read my Telegram channel, where these kinds of records are discussed, and I send them my suggestions from time to time. I know several specialists who work with Melodiya: they are incredible fans and enthusiasts of their craft. In addition to vinyl records, Melodiya is actively involved in digital reissues via streaming services, bringing very rare recordings back into circulation. But vinyl records are a much more expensive business, and the logic here is different. Melodiya operates in a market-driven environment, and it's important to understand that a print run of 500-1,000 copies is a serious investment; some guarantee of a record's success is needed. It is necessary to constantly maintain a balance between the rare and the sought-after, between what is interesting to collectors and diggers, and what might attract a less sophisticated listener.

I know Melodiya is preparing several very interesting reissues for 2026 (the preparation of such releases can take anywhere from a year to several years). So, expect some truly amazing surprises. I won't give away everything—the important thing is that the vinyl pressing process has begun and can't be stopped.

"Rules of Life", December 11, 2025

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A full-cycle vinyl record production facility with a capacity of up to 120,000 units per year has been launched in Novosibirsk. The investor invested approximately 160 million rubles of its own funds in the project, which was used to purchase imported equipment and premises. The company sources raw materials from Italy and uses domestic technology. Within five years, the company plans to capture up to 50% of the Russian record production market, with sales estimated at at least 600,000 units per year. Experts believe the manufacturer's plans are achievable, but caution that to guarantee success, the company requires a sound business strategy and a willingness to engage with the music industry.

A full-cycle vinyl record production facility has been launched in Novosibirsk. JSC Novosibirsk Record Plant is owned by Russia's oldest music label, Melodiya (Moscow-based JSC Firma Melodiya). The 600-square-meter production facility, located within the city limits, currently employs seven people. Initial production capacity is approximately 120,000 records per year, with the potential for subsequent expansion. Total investment in the project amounted to approximately 160 million rubles, which was used to purchase the premises, raw materials, and equipment.

As Roman Abramov, the plant's Operations Director, told Kommersant-Siberia, the decision to open a production line was made due to increasing consumer demand for records. "The market has been driven in recent years by the growing number of vinyl enthusiasts and the growing market for high-quality record playback equipment. We were able to set up production from scratch in a relatively short period of time, and it is now operating successfully," he said. The plant's production machine was imported from Hong Kong, with Sweden and Switzerland being the primary suppliers of equipment. Raw materials for the records are from Italy, and the technology used is domestic.

"During Soviet times, vinyl was produced in the USSR, and music lovers sometimes had complaints about its quality. Now we've chosen the best vinyl—Italian—it's noiseless and ideal for sound recording. We plan to purchase colored vinyl. Then we'll be able to experiment with color editions," said Karina Abramyan, First Deputy General Director of Melodiya.

The plant plans to release tracks from both the Melodiya catalog and commissioned by musicians, labels, agencies, and others. The first record from the new production was "Autogenic Training for Alcohol Abusers," a 1980s album developed by doctors at a Yalta sanatorium. The batch also included David Tukhmanov's "On the Wave of My Memory," the album "Disco Alliance" by the Latvian band "Zodiac," and an album by the VIA "Dos-Mukasan."

The launch of its own enterprise will allow the company to capture 30-50% of the vinyl record market in Russia within five years, after which the manufacturer plans to begin exporting, the company said.

Alexander Balakin, head of sales at Yekaterinburg-based vinyl record manufacturer M9 LLC (Muzilla Production), believes the company's plans are entirely feasible—he estimates annual demand growth in the domestic market at around 20%. "Demand is growing; records are being ordered not only by vinyl fans, but also by young artists, as well as by ordinary consumers and organizations as merchandise or gifts. Our current production capacity is approximately 50,000 records per month," he commented.

Russia's largest vinyl record manufacturing plant, Ultra Production (part of Multimedia Holding CJSC), is booked with orders from domestic artists for two to three years in advance, according to a Kommersant source in the music market.

Kommersant's sources in the music market estimate annual sales of domestic and foreign-produced vinyl records in Russia at between 600,000 and 1.3 million. "Our main suppliers were partners in Austria and England, and two Russian distributors who shipped shipments through other countries," says a representative of a vinyl record store. From Austria, goods were shipped via Berlin and arrived within eight days, he explains.

Mikhail Burmistrov, CEO of Infoline-Analytics, notes the timely launch of vinyl record production in Novosibirsk. He notes that demand for vinyl in Russia has been growing at double-digit rates in recent years, and production capacity is insufficient, while imported products are becoming more expensive despite the strengthening ruble.

"Until recently, Russia essentially had only one full-cycle plant, Ultra Production, with a capacity of around 200,000 units. Combined with Muzilla Production near Yekaterinburg and the Melodiya plant in Novosibirsk, it now has the potential to supply up to 50% of the domestic market," the expert predicts.

According to his estimates, in 2025, demand for vinyl records in Russia will exceed 1 million units, and taking into account purchases in cross-border trade, 1.2 million units.

Among the project's risks, Anastasia Vladimirova, Managing Partner of IPM Consulting, cites dependence on imported equipment and raw materials. If any difficulties with payments arise due to the tightening of sanctions, the company risks being left without supplies and components. "We should also expect increased competition from other manufacturers or imports, which are traditionally high for this product category. A sound business strategy, an understanding of its target audience, and a willingness to engage with representatives of the music industry are essential for the company," the expert believes.

Lolita Belova, Kommersant, December 11, 2025

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Vinyl records were released in Novosibirsk for the first time in its history: production was launched at a subsidiary by the legendary Firma Melodiya, founded in 1964 as a state-owned company for the production, storage, and distribution of sound recordings.

Among the first editions already on sale are recordings of songs by David Tukhmanov, the band Zodiac, and the VIA "Dos-Mukasan," as well as "Autogenic Training for Alcohol Abusers. A Session of Emotional-Stress Psychotherapy for Those Wanting to Quit Smoking."

During Soviet times, the Berdsk Radio Plant, renowned throughout the country for its products, operated in the Novosibirsk region. Under the Vega brand, it produced cutting-edge technology at the time—recorders, tape recorders, stereo players, and even portable players. However, all the records were imported, and queues formed at local department stores for the most popular ones. The main record plant was the Aprelevka Record Plant, located in the Moscow region.

"There were various ideas about where to resume production. Not everything should be concentrated in Moscow or the Moscow region. Novosibirsk is a major transportation hub and is located equidistant between the West and East, which is also convenient for product delivery," noted Roman Abramov, Operations Director of the Firma Melodiya plant.

Approximately 160 million rubles have been invested in the record plant launch project. These funds were used to establish the production process, purchase raw materials, and purchase modern equipment, mostly imported. Suppliers include China, Sweden, Switzerland, and Italy.

It took nearly 14 months to prepare for the launch and test production. Now the process is streamlined and the first batches of records have been released. The minimum print run is 100 copies, depending on the customer's order.

The facility is designed for a full production cycle, from start to finish: pressing, cover design, and packaging. They plan to launch this entire production cycle, including matrix production, as early as next year. The potential capacity is 100,000 records per year.

"We're currently doing pressing and packaging, working on a full cycle. Then we'll be able to manufacture the dies ourselves, monitor their quality, and be independent of external contractors, allowing us to fulfill orders quickly," said Roman Abramov.

The title of the first album from the new production is "Autogenic Training for Alcohol Abusers. A Session of Emotional-Stress Psychotherapy for Those Wanting to Quit Smoking." The recordings were made in 1986 and 1987. This is the famous Soviet autogenic training and session, developed by doctors at the Energetik sanatorium in Yalta as part of a healthy lifestyle program and anti-alcohol and anti-smoking campaigns.

"It's quite a funny recording, one that people are sharing online as a meme, skeptical that the Soviet Melodiya label was capable of such a thing. In the 1980s, records with specially selected compositions and narrator instructions became a sought-after alternative medicine, perceived as a panacea for all ailments. We believe this release will be relevant in the run-up to the New Year holidays," said Karina Abramyan, Melodiya's First Deputy General Director. "We also couldn't help but include David Tukhmanov's 'On the Wave of My Memory,' which has remained a hit for 50 years, in the first batch of records. The cycle consists of ten pieces based on texts by Sappho, Goethe, Shelley, Mickiewicz, Baudelaire, Verlaine, Guillén, Akhmatova, and Voloshin."

Another release is the album "Disco Alliance" by the Latvian band Zodiac. Formed at the Latvian Conservatory, they strayed far from academic conventions into rock. "Cult recording," "bestseller," and otherworldly music are just a few of the epithets attributed to Disco Alliance. Another record was the landmark album by the VIA "Dos-Mukasan." Among music lovers captivated by the so-called "Soviet groove," Dos-Mukasan has developed a cult following. Dos-Mukasan are the founders of modern Kazakh pop music, drawing on the roots of folk tradition while simultaneously finding common ground with the Western world. The Kazakh VIA's first album has become a rarity, an object of desire, and a target for diggers and collectors. Its original edition, released in 1976, sells for record prices among vinyl enthusiasts for Soviet records. After 50 years, Melodiya is reissuing this album,” Melodiya’s official statement reads.

The 2025 vinyl masters were made from the original master tapes. Maxim Pilipov served as the sound engineer for the restoration and remastering.

Natalia Reshetnikova, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, December 10, 2025

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Melodiya announced the resumption of vinyl production at its Novosibirsk plant. The company cited high demand as one of the reasons for the restart. In an interview with TASS, the company's First Deputy General Director, Karina Abramyan, discussed popular vinyl genres and the label's upcoming releases.

— How has vinyl record production changed over the past 30 years?

How are modern records different from those released earlier?

Vinyl production technology is a standard procedure, but today we work with modern equipment. It's from Hong Kong, but created in collaboration with Italians. It has a beautiful name—"Allegro." There are two versions—"Allegro" and "Adagio"—and, as you can imagine, both names are musical terms. Visually, this equipment is very different from the machines used, for example, at the Aprelevka plant, but the essence of the process is the same.

The biggest difference is the vinyl pressing. During Soviet times, it was produced in the USSR, and music lovers sometimes had complaints about its quality. Now we've chosen the best pressing—Italian. I say this from a sound engineer, because it's not my area of expertise: this pressing is noiseless, ideal for recording. We plan to buy colored vinyl pressings. Then we'll be able to experiment with color editions. Now everyone's saying, "Zodiac (a Latvian band—TASS) has come out; it would be great to make it, say, blue." But we're just getting started. Give us the opportunity to consistently produce high-quality vinyl first, and then work with color.

— Is import substitution possible in the near future?

"Import substitution in this segment is impossible: the scale is different. Melodiya in Soviet times employed 40,000 people across the Soviet Union, with factories in Tashkent, Riga, Leningrad, several in Moscow, and a studio in Tbilisi… Millions of copies were sold, so back then, a lot of production was done locally. Now, it simply wouldn't pay for itself and would impact the final cost of the product."

— What production volumes does the plant currently expect?

We're counting on a minimum of 120,000 records per year. Melodiya, as a label, is happy with that. We plan to release two or three releases per month. Vinyl pressing isn't a quick process, contrary to popular belief. And this applies not only to the technology but also to obtaining copyright licenses. As a label, we hold rights to related rights—phonograms and performance rights. But, for example, if we're talking about pop or jazz, we need to find all the copyright holders. More often than not, these are their heirs, who live in different cities and even different countries.

For example, to acquire the copyrights for the release of "Gunesh" and "Dos Mukasan," we spent nine months "clearing" the records. Working in the Kazakh Authors' Society is a slow process. But we were stubborn and achieved results—all the permits have now been obtained.

— What genres are most in demand on vinyl today?

We have several selection criteria. We look at what people are actively listening to digitally, and then we immediately know that 80% of listeners will want to hold it in their hands. Pinpointing specific genres is quite difficult. Many want pop and jazz, but before we release them, we have to find all the copyright holders.

— What releases are you planning to release?

"Certainly, Anna German, I hope we'll have time to release it in time for her 90th birthday. We've already launched a collection by Alexandra Pakhmutova, and there's Pesnyary. And, of course, a children's story. We're planning to release a number of fairy tales. My favorite children's story is "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves," which has an absolutely fantastic cast—Sergei Yursky, Armen Dzhigarkhanyan, Veniamin Smekhov, and of course, a musical fairy tale by Sergei Nikitin. We'll also release "Old Man Hottabych" and "The Voyage of Captain Vrungel." There will also be classics—Vladimir Spivakov and Grigory Sokolov. I'm sure listening to Bach on record is a special kind of pleasure.

— I agree with you. Are you planning on inviting any contemporary performers? Perhaps there are already some requests?

"We're open to suggestions, and we also want to record and release our contemporaries, but we only announced the opening of production a little over 24 hours ago, so for now we're focused on releasing what the Melodiya label has produced."

You said the decision to resume record production was due to the surge in vinyl fashion. Do you think it will fade over time?

"I don't think so, because it's such a stable trend; it doesn't change much. In my opinion, vinyl has reached a certain plateau. It's back, it's taken its place, and it's not going away."

— Please describe the modern audience that listens to music on vinyl.

"These are primarily thinking people, cultured, and of completely different ages. There are devoted longtime fans for whom Melodiya is a return to their childhood. A lot of young people listen to vinyl, those born after the collapse of the Soviet Union. And then there's the target audience—parents with children who play fairy tales for their children on vinyl. I believe vinyl is a certain cultural staple, emotional, but very beautiful."

Anastasia Kirsanova, TASS, 12/10/2025

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Vinyl production is planned to resume in Russia in 2024, in time for the label's 60th anniversary. Vinyl, which had fallen out of favor with music lovers for some time, has regained its prestige and then become a fashionable medium in the 21st century.

"Most of our compatriots still associate Firma Melodiya with vinyl records. The revival of production under the Melodiya brand is a natural progression of musical traditions in our country, which will allow the plant to become a worthy successor to the Soviet Melodiya plants. For a long time, the main plant in the country was Aprelevka—the legendary Soviet Melodiya plant. And it's very important for us that Badri Devishev, the chief engineer of the Aprelevka plant, was with us during the launch of vinyl production," comments Firma Melodiya CEO Andrey Krichevsky.

Today, the company is launching the release of Melodiya's albums, with plans to expand the line and release records commissioned by artists and music companies.

"The first record from the new production, oddly enough, will be a famous Soviet autogenic training track from the 1980s—a recording developed by doctors at the Energetik sanatorium in Yalta as part of a healthy lifestyle program and anti-alcohol and anti-smoking campaigns. It's quite a funny recording, which people share online as a meme, skeptical that the Soviet Melodiya record company was capable of such a thing. In the 1980s, records with specially selected tracks and narrator instructions became a sought-after alternative medicine method, perceived as a panacea for all ailments. We believe this release will be relevant in the run-up to the New Year holidays," says Karina Abramyan, Melodiya's First Deputy General Director.

We couldn't help but include David Tukhmanov's "On the Wave of My Memory" in the first batch of records, a hit that has remained a hit for 50 years. "On the Wave of My Memory" earned a reputation as the first concept album of Soviet recording, playing in our country the same role that the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" played in the world. The cycle consists of ten numbers based on texts by Sappho, Goethe, Shelley, Mickiewicz, Baudelaire, Verlaine, Guillén, Akhmatova, and Voloshin.

Another release is the album "Disco Alliance" by the Latvian band Zodiac. Formed at the Latvian Conservatory, they were considered a local instrumental rock band and strayed far from academic conventions. "Cult record," "bestseller," and otherworldly music are just a few of the adjectives used to describe "Disco Alliance."

The next record was the landmark album by the VIA "Dos-Mukasan." Among music lovers captivated by the so-called "Soviet groove," Dos-Mukasan has developed a cult following. Dos-Mukasan is the founder of modern Kazakh pop music, drawing on the roots of folk tradition while simultaneously finding common ground with the Western world. The Kazakh VIA's first album has become a rarity, an object of desire, and a target for diggers and collectors. Its original edition, released in 1976, sells for record prices among vinyl enthusiasts for Soviet records. Fifty years later, Melodiya is reissuing this album.

The records were printed in 2025. The masters were made from the original master tapes. The sound engineer for the restoration and remastering was Maxim Pilipov. The editions contain original annotations by music critic Denis Boyarinov and PhD in psychology, Associate Professor Natalia Kiselnikova.

Firm Melodiya, 08.12.2025

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Melodiya is starting to press records at its own plant in Novosibirsk due to high demand. The first batch of records, featuring works by David Tukhmanov, the band Zodiac, and the VIA Dos-Mukasan, is already available for sale, Melodiya's press service told TASS.

"Firma Melodiya" is still associated with vinyl records by most of our compatriots. The revival of production under the Melodiya brand is a natural development of musical traditions in our country, which will allow the plant to become a worthy successor to the Soviet Melodiya plants," said the company's CEO, Andrey Krichevsky.

The first record from the new production facility was the "Dos-Mukasan" album by VIA. The records were printed in 2025, using master tapes made from the original master tapes. Maxim Pilipov served as the sound engineer for the restoration and remastering. The plant plans to expand its product line and produce records commissioned by artists and music companies.

As Krichevsky previously reported to TASS, the initial investment amounted to approximately 150 million rubles. This is a full-cycle facility based on the Allegro II production line manufactured in Hong Kong. The main suppliers of the equipment are Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, and China. The company plans to release tracks from its catalog as well as custom-made ones, allowing any customer—artist, songwriter, label, agency, or copyright holder—to release their album. Production volume will be approximately 100,000 records per year.

TASS, December 8, 2025

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Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Reflections on Leonid Desyatnikov

In 2015—ten years ago—I recorded a conversation with Leonid Desyatnikov at the Green Living Room. At the time, the Bolshoi Theater was holding a large-scale festival to commemorate his sixtieth birthday. The theater orchestra performed the symphony "The Rite of Winter" (1949) at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall. In that conversation, Leonid Desyatnikov said he reads various texts about himself in the booklet, and each writer seems to be solving their own problems, while the subject itself somehow disappears, making it difficult to pinpoint who he is.

As I begin writing this text, I imagine Leonid Desyatnikov conjures up images of the Baltic coast, soft sunlight, veranda windows, sandy beaches, tall pine trees, the dark waters of the Gulf, and the almost silent movement of the waves. Leonid Desyatnikov is a composer I greatly admire. I think it's unlikely that in the 21st century there will be another composer more important to the Bolshoi Theatre's recent history. In the last century, the Moscow Art Theatre became the theater of Chekhov, Ibsen, Maeterlinck, and Andreyev, and introduced the world to Gorky… The Bolshoi also had its own composers: Demutsky, Fenelon, Podgaits… But they came later. Desyatnikov's "Children of Rosenthal," with a libretto by Vladimir Sorokin, was undoubtedly a breakthrough. Clones of five composers in the new Russia. The production was directed by the legendary Eimuntas Nekrošius. However, I hope to see other directorial interpretations as well. Many fragments of this music will forever remain etched in my memory. And our silent protest against the barrage of attacks, demonstrations, and threats, uniting everyone involved in this premiere. And then—the pinnacle of overcoming the Pale of Settlement: the Bolshoi Theatre performing this opera by Desyatnikov at the Mariinsky Theatre. And our tour in Riga, long walks with the composers along the wide beaches of Jurmala…

The ballet "Lost Illusions" based on Balzac, following Ulanova and the dreams of Alexander Arkadyevich Belinsky, who inspired Ratmansky with this idea… Our triumph on the stage of the Théâtre Garnier in Paris… David Hallberg in the lead role. And at the same time, Desyatnikov's concert at the Opéra Bastille, where producer Raisa Fomina brought François Ozon…

The ballet based on the vocal cycle "Russian Seasons" with costumes by Galya Solovieva is simplicity and depth, something eternal and archetypal, and for me, a complete unity of music and choreographic language…

A project within the framework of the "Old Women Falling Out" workshops. Jokes from the senior ballerinas: why aren't we in the casts? Wonderful songs based on the OBERIU poetry… A trip to see the film "Moscow"… The very first delight, still on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre, was "Towards the Swan" staged by Alexei Miroshnichenko… A wonderful evening of LAD ballets – how I wanted to show it to the audience, and how sad I am that legal meticulousness prevented us from doing so!.. As one poet wrote, "the boat of love was wrecked on everyday life." I love "Sketches for 'Sunset'." And the opera "Vitamin of Growth" based on the poetry of Oleg Grigoriev. And most of all I love the cycle "Love and Life of a Poet." Especially inperformed by Bogdan VolkovAnd the poems of Daniil Kharms from 1936:

The days fly by like swallows, And we fly like sticks. The clock ticks on the shelf, And I sit in a skullcap. The days fly by like shot glasses, And we fly like swallows. Light bulbs sparkle in the sky, And we fly like stars.

We interviewed Desyatnikov in 2015, and it was clear: the ballets and librettos had authors… Speaking about Soviet power and his own perception of it, Leonid Arkadyevich expressed the apt idea that aesthetic differences were enough to understand everything about the Soviets… Even without ethical doubts, everything was clear. Now these views seem even more relevant to me.

I think: what is it that attracts me so much to Leonid Desyatnikov? His sincerity, his lack of posturing. That quiet, ironic, personal voice. His personal voice… The desire to be yourself and preserve your inner freedom. To try to distance yourself from official doctrine.

I remember once arriving in Jerusalem at a difficult moment of spiritual crisis. The sun was setting over the eternal city, and it involuntarily erased all temporality, setting a new scale for our lives. It seems to me that Leonid Desyatnikov always exists like this—without the fuss of the moment. I don't know if he grows wiser with age, or sadder… He can't stand pathos in any form. He's lucky to be a composer, dependent only on the staff, inspiration, and divine inspiration.

Happy birthday.

Katerina Novikova, "Musical Life," October 16, 2025

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

1989, Perestroika. Soviet society is experiencing a powerful awakening of interest in national history—especially pre-revolutionary history and cultural memory. As if responding to this zeitgeist, Boris Tikhomirov, Vladimir Osinsky, and Pavel Grushko create a bluff opera."Without a king in my head" Based on Saltykov-Shchedrin's novel "The History of a Town" – a satire on Russian society that never loses its edge.

Tikhomirov and Osinsky were pioneers of electronic music in the USSR. Tikhomirov, not only a composer but also a musicologist and ethnomusicologist, worked as an editor at Melodiya in the 1980s. It was thanks to his efforts that the albums that became cult classics were released. Rhythmic gymnastics and series "Sports and Music" With electronic music Tikhomirov himself and his colleagues – Andrey Rodionov and Vladimir Osinsky. It's no surprise that "Without a Tsar in My Head" is also an opera for synthesizers and… a sound-imitating artist. Most of the vocals were performed by Alexey Ptitsyn, a precursor to Maxim Galkin, who gained fame for his parodies of "Time Machine" and "Orange".

The authors' chosen genre of "bluff opera" alludes to Italian opera buffa—and this is clearly no coincidence. "Without a Tsar in My Head" also hints at an ironic reimagining of 18th-century Russian comic operas, such as "Coachmen on the Set-Up." At the same time, certain "arias"—for example, "The Appearance of the Tsar" or "The Appearance of the River"—sound like 1980s electropop, and with their simple lyrics about love and romance, they could easily have become hits performed by Forum (Ptitsyn, in my opinion, even parodies Saltykov) or ElectroclubIncidentally, the final aria, "The Appearance of the River," is performed by a true star of the 80s, Olga Zarubina. Ironically, the meaning of "The Appearance of the River" is the antithesis of her then-massive hit "Music Plays on the Boat," written by Vyacheslav Dobrynin.

In short, "Without a Tsar in My Head" is a thoroughly postmodernist, witty, and enigmatic work. One of the most obscure recordings in Melodiya's catalog. Indeed, this is evident, if only from the cover.

Melodiya recently digitized the album and posted it on on your website The full text of the opera, composed by poet and translator Pavel Grushko—author of the libretto for "The Star and Death of Joaquin Murieta" by Alexei Rybnikov and "The Master and Margarita" by Alexander Gradsky—is worth a careful reading.

Denis Boyarinov, "Red Book", October 11, 2025

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.