"Gymn Sovetskovo Soyuza" is, indeed, dramatic, powerful music. It's an example of how music can be hijacked and used to attract and capture human emotion and empathy. Then, the dance evolves into a goose-step. "Gimn" IMO, is long when played in all verses and stanzas -- but so is the "Star Spangled Banner" in full exposition.

Take-over examples are not uncommon. Listen to the strong, affirming national anthem of the now defunct East Germany("Auferstanden aus Ruinen" {"Arisen from Ruins}"): there's something about the work that rings familiar- even though we've never heard it before. The 'something' is the construction of the anthem: it can be overlayed upon the traditional German "Deutschland ueber Alles" and note for note, tempo for tempo, it fits inside the traditional song, precisely. Was that a foretaste of ultimate national unity? Maybe - but on whose side of the (also now gone) Inner German Border?

"Gimn" is good music, but I think about the millions whose freedom it proscribed while the USSR used it. Spacibo bol'shoye!

Best, Steve Myers in snowy PA.