Moscow’s Red Presnya Park Welcomed the Band of the 147^th Motor Vehicle Base of the Russian Ministry of Defense

This Saturday, July 13, the Military Band of the 147^th Motor Vehicle Base of the Russian Ministry of Defense staged a concert for all the guests of Moscow’s Red Presnya Park. Led by Anton Mezentsev, conductor of the group, it made its successful debut at the Military Bands in the City Parks, a unique project carried out by the Directorate of the Spasskaya Tower International Military Tattoo and supported by the Russian Ministry of Defense and Moscow’s Department of Culture.

The concert featured a plethora of music pieces composed by Russian and foreign authors. Throughout the run military musicians performed marches, waltzes and classical compositions as well as popular songs and melodies. But the concert began with the vibrant Drum Fiesta, a perfect choice to cheer and warm up the audience in the gloomy and rainy weather that had settled in the capital. Abaco by Scott Stanton, Aftershock by Demi Lovato and Billie Jean by Michael Jackson made up the foreign section of the program. As far as the Russian part is concerned, it featured compositions by Valery Khalilov, Dmitry Shostakovich, Semen Chernetsky and others. Anastasia Leto, the leading singer of the band, performed several songs. Besides, the concert couldn’t definitely lack Vasily Agapkin’s Farewell of Slavianka march.

The audience was exited and awarded the musicians with thundering applause. Having revitalized their energies for the week to come, they are looking forward for the next run of the 2019 Military Bands in the City Parks season.

Founded in 1977 by Yuriy Saigashov, the Band of the 147^th Motor Vehicle Base of the Russian Ministry of Defense is one of the leading music ensembles of the Moscow Military District. The band features thirteen servicemen under the contract and seven conscripts. It has the honor to be part of the Combined Military Band of the Moscow Garrison and annually take part in the Victory Parade on Red Square. Since 2011 the band is headed by Anton Mezentsev, graduate of the Military Institute (of military conductors) of the Military University.