This TV Series unintentionally fails so miserably that it succeeds.
The viewer is presented with series of frustrating (to the viewer) events, supposedly meant to be related to the story of a Soviet Children's Choir, indeed episodically flashing every now and then.
Main Characters in their stylised Piere Cardin clothes with quite good Soviet realism in the background do absolutely best making the viewer fall in love with them. With the hair, that have never experienced "Khozyaystvennoe" Soap, we shall be fair: formally it was quite close to what it was; who wouldn't cringe looking at the similar in "Changing Ends"?
If you know nothing about singing prior to watching this show, don't worry and rest assured: you will still know nothing, except "omg he can sing high notes" and "1/8th should be sharper".
As a choirboy of the late Soviet Union (pun intended), I can assure that you will never learn that Children were not required to know much about music, such as "Big Children Choir" was formed exactly for "just kids". You won't be taught to enjoy the absolute beauty of lovely Pristine sounds you will hear performed by the kids in the series. Neither you will learn, why every time you watch Russian kids singing they making their lips so cringy articulate.
Instead you will watch some sort of Somnambulism, as all you will see can be summarised as: Dreaming about Soviet Union.
This Dreaming is beautiful, frustrating, doesn't make much sense, but resonates a lot with a lot (tautology intended)
The main adult Character (the Conductor) does a very good job playing his role. Indeed, this is a "Whiplash" with a human face. Other adult actors present a good gimmick of "something, resembling almost human".
I would love to appeal to the Nth Amendment, which grants me the privilege of not criticising child actors. I don't need though, kids did fantastic job.
Putting it all together, the TV Series are indeed perfect representation of Soviet Union.
If you watch only parts with the Conductor, or children actually singing, this will be an absolutely lovely show.
Same as our dreams of Soviet Union goes: if we skip approximately everything, except the gems it would be an absolutely fantastic place!
Except instead of "Only spoonful of honey makes a barrel of tar go down", russian proverb goes the opposite way: "One spoon of tar spoils the barrel of honey".
So if you are this kind of person who keeps dreaming about Soviet Union: keep dreaming, highly recommend!
Otherwise, also highly recommend, just skip approximately 90% of what you will be offered to see.
On the bright side, let us conclude with lots of Optimism: first "Slovo Patsana", now "Choir" give us an insight into Russia in its cultural aspect: it is finally starting to talk something resembling human.
