# Melodiya

> Soviet and Russian record label

**Wikidata**: [Q1636655](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1636655)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melodiya)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/melodiya

## Summary
Melodiya is a Soviet and Russian record label established on May 11, 1964, which serves as the primary state-owned organization for the production and distribution of music recordings in the region. Headquartered in Moscow, the label operates within the phonographic industry and is affiliated with the Ministry of Culture. It manages a vast catalog spanning classical, pop, jazz, folklore, and rock music, featuring works by prominent Soviet, Russian, and international artists.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** May 11, 1964
- **Headquarters:** Moscow, Russia
- **Industry:** Phonographic industry
- **Classification:** Record label
- **Website:** https://melody.su
- **Geographic Origin:** Soviet Union (historical), Russia (current)
- **Affiliations:** Ministry of Culture (Soviet Union), Ministry of Culture of Russia
- **Key Personnel:** Andrey Tropillo (record producer)
- **Musical Genres:** Classical music, pop music, jazz, folklore, rock music
- **Notable International Releases:** Paul McCartney's "Снова в СССР" (Back in the USSR)

## FAQs
**What is Melodiya?**
Melodiya is the major state-owned record label of the Soviet Union and subsequently Russia, responsible for releasing a wide variety of music from classical symphonies to pop and rock.

**When was Melodiya founded?**
The label was established on May 11, 1964.

**Where is Melodiya located?**
The company is headquartered in Moscow, Russia, and operates within the territory formerly known as the Soviet Union.

**What types of music does Melodiya release?**
The label's catalog is extensive, covering classical music, pop music, jazz, folklore, and rock music.

**Is Melodiya affiliated with the government?**
Yes, Melodiya is historically affiliated with government cultural bodies, specifically the Ministry of Culture of the Soviet Union and the Ministry of Culture of Russia.

## Why It Matters
Melodiya functions as the definitive archive of Soviet and Russian musical culture, having controlled the majority of music production and distribution in the USSR for decades. By monopolizing the release of both domestic masterpieces and licensed Western content—such as albums by ABBA and Paul McCartney—it played a pivotal role in shaping the auditory landscape of the region. The label's preservation of performances by legendary artists like David Oistrakh and Mstislav Rostropovich ensures that global classical heritage remains accessible, while its support for rock bands like Kino and Aria documents the evolution of underground and mainstream youth culture. As a state instrument, it facilitated the export of Russian culture and the import of international trends, making it a central node in the history of the phonographic industry.

## Notable For
- Being the sole major record label in the Soviet Union during its existence.
- Releasing the Soviet pressing of Paul McCartney's 1987 album "Снова в СССР".
- Publishing recordings for a vast array of Soviet and international artists, ranging from the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra to the Swedish pop group ABBA.
- Maintaining a comprehensive catalog that includes Western classical traditions, Soviet folk music, and diverse rock genres.
- Featuring works by Nobel Prize-nominated or internationally acclaimed artists such as Mstislav Rostropovich and Sviatoslav Richter.

## Body

### History and Organization
Melodiya was founded on May 11, 1964, in the Soviet Union and continues to operate in Russia. It is structured as a record label within the phonographic industry. The organization is headquartered in Moscow and has maintained close ties with government cultural administrations throughout its history. It is affiliated with the Ministry of Culture of the Soviet Union, which was established in 1953, and the Ministry of Culture of Russia. The label has also worked with notable producers such as Andrey Tropillo.

### Musical Genres and Scope
The label's output covers a broad spectrum of musical traditions. Its primary genres include:
*   **Classical Music:** A major focus, featuring symphonies, concertos, and solo works.
*   **Pop Music:** Encompassing vocal-instrumental ensembles (VIA) and solo pop stars.
*   **Jazz:** Representing both Soviet and international jazz styles.
*   **Folklore:** Including traditional and adapted folk songs from various Soviet republics.
*   **Rock Music:** Ranging from heavy metal to experimental rock.

### Classical and Orchestral Artists
Melodiya holds a significant catalog of classical music, featuring renowned conductors, instrumentalists, and orchestras.
*   **Conductors:** The label has released works by Dmitri Kitayenko, Valery Polyansky, Arnold Katz, Mark Ermler, Vladimir Fedoseyev, Eri Klas, Samuil Samosud, Maxim Shostakovich, Aleksandr Gauk, Natan Rakhlin, Alexander Melik-Pashayev, Alexander Dmitriyev, Yuri Ahronovitch, Igor Zhukov, Konstantin Ivanov, Arvīds Jansons, Emin Khachaturian, Pavel Kogan, Veronika Dudarova, and Yevgeny Mravinsky.
*   **Pianists:** Notable pianists in the roster include Lazar Berman, Nikolai Lugansky, Vasso Devetzi, Grigory Ginzburg, Lev Vlasenko, Evgeny Kissin, Viktoria Postnikova, Mikhail Pletnev, Nikolai Kapustin, Nikolai Demidenko, Gintautas Abarius, Pavel Serebryakov, Tatiana Nikolayeva, Dimitri Bashkirov, Vladimir Krainev, Sviatoslav Richter, Svetlana Navasardyan, Rudolf Kehrer, Maria Yudina, and Igor Zhukov.
*   **String Players:** The label features violinists David Oistrakh, Gidon Kremer, Anahit Tsitsikian, Vladimir Spivakov, Mikhail Vaĭman, Liana Isakadze, and David Geringas. Cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and violist Yuri Bashmet are also key figures.
*   **Orchestras:** Major ensembles include the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Russian Federation, the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, the State Symphony Capella of Russia, and the Komitas Quartet.
*   **Composers:** Composers such as Sofia Gubaidulina, Revol Bunin, Nikolai Kapustin, Arno Babajanian, and Sofia Gubaidulina are represented.

### Pop, Vocal, and Folk Music
Melodiya is the primary source for Soviet and Russian pop and folk music.
*   **Vocalists:** The roster includes iconic singers like Lyudmila Zykina, Edita Piekha, Zhanna Bichevskaya, Eduard Khil, Joseph Kobzon, Nina Matviienko, Larisa Golubkina, Farrukh Zokirov, Laima Vaikule, Valery Leontiev, Alla Pugacheva, Ewa Demarczyk, Yuri Shatunov, Bedros Kirkorov, Lidia Klement, Zara Dolukhanova, Batir Zakirov, Tatyana Snezhina, Eson Kandov, Sofia Rotaru, Lidia Ruslanova, Philipp Kirkorov, Valery Meladze, Irina Brzhevskaya, Vladimir Bunchikov, and Boris Godjunov.
*   **Bands and Ensembles:** Pop and folk groups include Pesnyary, Syabry, Samotsvety, Poyushchiye Gitary, Vesyolye Rebyata, Tsvety, Verasy, Chervona Ruta, Orera, Apelsin, Leysya, Pesnya, Alyans, and Laskoviy Mai.
*   **Singer-Songwriters:** Notable figures include Vladimir Vysotsky, Yuri Antonov, Armen Grigoryan, Igor Talkov, Boris Grebenshchikov, Sergey Nikitin, Alexander Barykin, and Tatyana Snezhina.

### Rock and Contemporary Music
The label has a diverse collection of rock and contemporary music releases.
*   **Rock Bands:** Prominent bands include Kino, Mashina Vremeni, Aria, Nautilus Pompilius, Krematorij, Master, N.O.M., Līvi, Jumprava, Antis, and Secret.
*   **Artists:** Rock musicians such as Valery Kipelov, Valery Gaina, Maxim Udalov, Natasha Shneider, Roman Miroshnichenko, Anton Batagov, and Igo.
*   **Producers and Composers:** Contemporary figures like Maxim Fadeev, Oleg Gazmanov, Aleksandr Zatsepin, Nikita Bogoslovsky, and Yury Chernavsky.

### Notable Albums and Releases
Melodiya has released specific landmark albums and songs that define its catalog.
*   **Alla Pugacheva:** Albums such as "To li eshchyo budet…", "Arlekino i drugiye", "Kak trevozhen etot put", "Podnimis nad suyetoj!", and "Zerkalo dushi".
*   **Aria:** The albums "Geroy Asfalta" and "Igra s ognyöm".
*   **Kino:** The album "Noch".
*   **International Releases:** The label released "Снова в СССР" by Paul McCartney and featured music by ABBA. It also released "For You" by Philipp Kirkorov.
*   **Songs:** Notable tracks include "Grass by the Home" by Zemlyane, "Do the Russians Want War?" by Mark Bernes, "Deltaplan" by Valery Leontiev, "Million alykh roz", and "Chervona Ruta".

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. MusicBrainz