Search - Nikolai Osipov, Vasily Andreyev, Russian Traditional :: Dmitri Hvorostovsky - Dark Eyes: Russian Folk Songs

Al V. (Al) from HOOVER, AL
Reviewed on 12/23/2006...

Has a tremendous big, well-trained voice. Collectors of classical music will hear several familiar themes in these folk tunes.

You have to hear this - it is simply stunning!!!

Lana | San Francisco, CA, USA | 01/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my most favorite recording of Hvorostovsky and I would highly recommend it to everybody who wants to hear a deeply touching performance of the best Russian folk songs, by the best Russian singer.
For those who know and love Russian folk, Hvorostovsky's performance was a huge news some years ago. A young Siberean boy dared to compete with the most famous Russian legends of the past, such as Shaliapin and Lemeshev, by singing their number one favourites. And won! And, not by way of copying anybody, but simply by being himself!
For those who is not familiar with Russian folk at all - this is the best place to start. Even for the spoiled modern youth, like myself, listenning to this recording was and still is a shocking experience. It is true, it is modern, and it is deeply passionate. Many performers attempt to revitalize old crafts by converting them into modern shapes. Hvorostovsky does nothing like that. He just sings and he also lives in his each and every song. And because his rage and passion are so real and modern, and his voice is so strong and beautiful, it makes you completely forget about sometimes odd wording. Moreover, it makes you like it. He makes you feel the voice of the great nation, coming from the depth of his heart. And it is so moving, sometimes you can hardly hold your tears. Yet, he never changes a word of the original text or the appropriate music or even the intonations. He is very careful and tactful with the originals, but he brings up the best this music has inside. Since making this recording, Hvorovstovsky, of course, has made huge steps ahead. Today he sings in the best theatres of the world, he participates in the best, the most famous performances. Yet, this old recording is very dear to me. Not just because it is my first recording of Hvorostovsky. But because it is so powerful and strong that once listenning to it, you will never forget it. And it is also so deeply Russian, so unique and unforgettable, that nobody in the World can ever repeat it. And noone will."

A great singer sings of his homeland.

John Austin | Kangaroo Ground, Australia | 04/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although I have listened to singers for more than sixty years, I have rarely heard a more exciting or beautiful voice than that of Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Listening to him makes me regret that sound is something that comes and goes, something that cannot be photographed or hung on the wall to view permanently. Some singers would give an arm and a leg to have some of Hvorostsovsky' s notes in their register. All his notes, from top to bottom of his register and whether delivered softly or loudly, are sublimely beautiful.



Early in the 1990s he combined with the famed Ossipov Russian Folk Orchestra to record a batch of Russian folksongs, found on this Philips 56 minute CD. Some, including the title piece "Dark Eyes" are known everywhere. Others are certainly new to me. Hvorostovsky, born in Siberia, sings unaccompanied in two of the tracks and the orchestra have three tracks to themselves.



I especially like the second track, "A Snowstorm Blows". Full texts and translations are provided in the booklet, as well as a fine introductory article by Hvorostovsky himself.

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