The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was recently given this record to add to my collection of unusual labels. It features a mixed chorus with orchestral accompaniment, possibly performing traditional or religious music, and is well recorded.

Apart from images of the label I can find no information on line. Are there any Russian speakers among our membership?

I can read some Russian phonetically, but the abbreviations confuse me.

I can tell you that this is from Handel's oratorio "Samson", but that's about it. Hopefully someone else will fill in more info for you.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samson_(Handel)

Many thanks. I did think it sounded like Handel, but thought him an unlikely composer for a Russian choir to perform.
On reflection you are absolutely right.

USSR State Choir, chorus master Nikolay Dannilin, USSR State Orchestra, conductor Alexander Gauk. Pressed at the Noginsk plant of Gramplasttrest.
I think that GRK 2045 would date to 1939.

The Russian Records website https://www.russian-records.com/index.php will give an idea of the sometimes surprising breadth of recorded repertoire on Russian 78s. The site is mostly in English, and you can listen to many of the discs. I particularly recommend "It's a long way to Tipperary", sung in Russian.

It is always interesting to see new labels and records.