Peace Concert, Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin, 1948: Nikitin sings Kalinka.

The Peace Concert at the Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin, August 1948. All those people climbing on ruined buildings to see the concert are actually on top of two full-sized cathedrals and a huge classical concert building - very high up indeed. Nikitin did three encores of Kalinka, and was named as the first Mr Kalinka on that day. Note his relaxed stance - quite different from the stiff and formal stance of later Ensemble soloists in concert halls. Nikitin clasps his hands almost in an attitude of prayer,