Мелодия

Soviet-era Instrumental Ensemble

Мелодия is not an individual artist, composer, or band but rather a record label. Established in 1964, Melodiya is the largest and best-known record label in the former Soviet Union. Throughout its history, Melodiya has produced a vast catalog of recordings, ranging from classical music to pop and jazz, featuring both Russian and international artists. The label was known for its extensive production of vinyl records and later CDs. During the Soviet era, Melodiya had a monopoly on the music industry in the USSR and was instrumental in documenting and distributing the works of countless Soviet composers, musicians, and performers. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Melodiya faced numerous challenges but continued to operate, releasing historical recordings as well as new music by contemporary Russian artists.