Aram Khachaturian - The Battle of Stalingrad

The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra performs the suite "The Battle of Stalingrad" by Aram Khachaturian, which is dedicated to the 1942-1943 battle in which the Soviet Red Army stopped the Nazi German Blitzkrieg and turned the tide of the Great Patriotic War. Stalingrad was one of the deadliest battles of World War II, with up to 2 million people dying on both sides, and the city almost completely destroyed. Khachaturian's suite is in six parts:
1. The City on the Volga. This is based on the folk song "Утёс (The Cliff)" and introduces Stalingrad.
2. The Invasion. The Fascist forces are scored with a quick march.
3. Stalingrad on Fire. A slower, sadder song lamenting the death and destruction.
4. Battle for the Motherland. The Russians fight back.
5. Forward to Victory. The music becomes more triumphant as the Russians beat back the Nazi forces.
6. There is a Cliff on the Volga. "Есть на Волге утёс," a restatement of the "Cliff" theme bringing the suite to its conclusion.
Слава защитникам Сталинграда и победителям Великой Отечественной Войны! Glory to the defenders of Stalingrad and the victors of the Great Patriotic War!