On June 5, 1798, Prince Alexei Fyodorovich Lvov was born, a renowned violinist and composer, creator of the music for the first Russian anthem "God Save the Tsar!" He was the son of the director of the court singing chapel and began learning to play the violin at the age of seven, also studying music theory. In adulthood, Lvov became a famous virtuoso violinist. Robert Schumann, upon hearing him play, noted: "If in Russia they play the violin like Mr. Lvov, then we should go there to learn."

However, for a long time, his career was linked to public service. In 1826, he was appointed senior adjutant in the staff of the corps of gendarmes under Count Benkendorf. In this position, Lvov attracted the attention of Emperor Nicholas Pavlovich, who entrusted him with matters related to trips. In 1833, Lvov accompanied Emperor Nicholas I on a foreign trip, where the Russian sovereign was greeted with the sounds of the English royal march, as Russia did not have its own anthem. Upon returning, the tsar commissioned Lvov to create a Russian anthem.

Later, Alexei Fyodorovich recalled: "The task seemed very difficult to me. I wanted to write an anthem that was majestic, strong, understandable to all, with national color, suitable for the church, the army, and the people." When the music was ready, Lvov asked Zhukovsky to write the lyrics for it. He likely turned to Zhukovsky because he had written the poem "Prayer of the Russian People" in 1815, which was associated in Russia with the melody of the English anthem.

On December 18 (or, according to other sources, December 25) 1833, in the presence of the Emperor, the court chapel choir and two military orchestras performed the new piece for the first time:

God save the Tsar!

Strong, sovereign,
Reign for glory, for glory to us!
Reign to frighten the enemies,
Orthodox Tsar!
God save the Tsar!

After several listenings, Emperor Nicholas said to Prince Lvov: "Thank you, delightful, you completely understood me."