Russian Folk Songs: Ach Ti Slishesh Li (Ah! Do You Hear, My Dearest Fiend)
Russian Folk Songs: Na Gorushkye (On Little Mountain, On The Mountain)
Russian Folk Songs: Khorovodnaya (Round Dance)
Russian Folk Songs: Shto Zatumanilas (Why Have You Misted Over, Clear Sunset)
Russian Folk Songs: Ya Vstretil Vas (I Met You)
Russian Folk Songs: Ivushka (The Little Window)
Russian Folk Songs: Kak Menya Mladu (How Was I, A Tender Young Maiden?)
Russian Folk Songs: Kachelniye (Rhyming Song)
Russian Folk Songs: Uzh Ti Polye (Ah, You Field)
Russian Folk Songs: Shto Bye Belaya Berioza (As Never White Birch Tree)
Russian Folk Songs: Ne Slijshno Shuma Gorodskogo (The Noise Of The Town Cannot Be Heard)
Russian Folk Songs: Vtyomnon Leyse (In The Dark Forest)
Russian Folk Songs: Uzh Kak Pal Tuman (Already The Fog Has Descended)
Russian Folk Songs: Ach Vij Sini (Ah, Shady Spot)
Russian Folk Songs: Veniki (Birch - Broom)
Russian Folk Songs: Vyhozhu Adin Ya Na Dorogu (I Set Off Alone Down The Road)
Dimitri Hvorostovsky, born and bred in Siberia, has Russian folk music in his soul. So do about 100 million other Russians, of course, but they don't have his magnificent voice. When his artistry is joined with that of the... more » Saint Petersburg Chamber Chorus, the result is hard to beat, especially when the arrangements were made by such composers as Shostakovich and Rimsky-Korsakov. Don't expect happy songs, although some of the offerings on this disc, such as the title song "Kalinka," have their rollicking passages. In characteristic fashion, the lyrics dwell plaintively on laments for lost love or melancholy recollections of the Russian countryside. Unusually for a Russian chorus, the Saint Petersburg ensemble is not dominated by the lower-pitched male voices but by the women, blissfully free from stridency, who swell their cadences in the way so typical of Russian liturgical music. The disc is accompanied by the Russian text and a useful English translation, although both suffer from minor errors. --Ed Killham« less
Dimitri Hvorostovsky, born and bred in Siberia, has Russian folk music in his soul. So do about 100 million other Russians, of course, but they don't have his magnificent voice. When his artistry is joined with that of the Saint Petersburg Chamber Chorus, the result is hard to beat, especially when the arrangements were made by such composers as Shostakovich and Rimsky-Korsakov. Don't expect happy songs, although some of the offerings on this disc, such as the title song "Kalinka," have their rollicking passages. In characteristic fashion, the lyrics dwell plaintively on laments for lost love or melancholy recollections of the Russian countryside. Unusually for a Russian chorus, the Saint Petersburg ensemble is not dominated by the lower-pitched male voices but by the women, blissfully free from stridency, who swell their cadences in the way so typical of Russian liturgical music. The disc is accompanied by the Russian text and a useful English translation, although both suffer from minor errors. --Ed Killham
Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 05/22/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With his rich and powerful dark honey voice, Dmitri Hvorostovsky is one of the greatest operatic baritones alive, and as an interpreter of Russian music, no singer can top him; his exquisite renditions of folk melodies, as well as the rapturous songs of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff on his other recordings are sublime.
Here he is backed not by an orchestra, but by St. Petersburg Chamber Choir, and together they present a superb collection of traditional melodies. Unfortunately for those of us who are big Dmitri fans, he only sings on 10 of the 18 tracks, and though the chorus is excellent, his magnificent voice would have made these songs even better; the "chorus only" tracks are 4-5, 8-10, 14, and 16-17.
The popular title track, "Kalinka", has probably been included in practically every film with a Russian theme I have ever seen and is instantly recognizable, and some of the others are rare gems, but all of them will be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates Russian music.My absolute favorite is the final "Vihaztu adin ya na darogu" ("I set off alone down the road"), which with its beautiful melody and soulful singing is glorious. Dmitri recorded this song for his first CD of folk songs in 1991, with the Ossipov Russian Folk Orchestra, with balalaikas instead of a chorus to back him; both versions are wonderful, but with this one having the edge, as I think he sings it on this recording with more emotion.
Total running time is 56'41."
Here is proof that Russian vintage only gets better with age
Alejandra Vernon | 06/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dmitri Hvorostovsky has outdone himself, which means his admirers are in for a treat. Maturity only adds depth to his interpretations of Russian folk songs, now on a larger scale than on the earlier CD 'Dark Eyes'. His musicianship is such that he blends in perfectly with the superb St. Petersburg Chamber Choir whenever this is called for. Marvelous stuff here - highly recommended."
The Power of Voice, The Music for the Soul
Z. Yang | Hockessin, DE USA | 05/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Listening to these eighteen Russian folk songs, artistically arranged and vocalized, one feels that the musical border between folksong and opera has somehow been melted away, and what are heard are the best aspects of both. There is something very special in Russian folk music. Dmitri Hvorostovsky and St Petersburg Chamber Choir have grasped the spirit of it with their heartbreaking vocal force. Whether it is the melancholy melodies; the somber harmonies; or the primordial elements, they pierce directly through your heart and get to your soul... Simply wonderful!"
Very enjoyable.
Lorraine P. Zigman | Vermont, USA | 07/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD shows Dmitri Hvorostovsky's extraordinary wide range of singing abilities. Although it is Russian folk songs, the CD content is more sophisticated than what might be termed "rough country folk dances". Much of it is very melodic going from playful pieces to more somber ones. The St. Petersburg Chamber Choir adds much to the enjoyment of the listener."
Delighful Hvorostovsy
Eugenia Maldonado | Mexico City, Mexico D. F. Mexico | 03/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard the CD Kalinka. I've never stopped admiring this wonderful Russian bsritone. I went to his concerto here in Mexico, several months ago. I was in Heaven
The songs are chosen with care and love, and it reminds me always of my so wonderful stay in Russia (3 years). This really is from "Russia with love". The thrilling voice of Hvorostovsky gives me the chills and makes me dream. Thanks for a wonderful and delightful record.
This Cd is not the "academic" version of the Red Army, pleasant as well. This is fresh, bucolic and belongs to the people that are in the enourmous fields of corn in Russia and Ukraine. It is naive, with the beauty of naivite.
Hvorostovky is versatile and in the songs que needs to be sweet, plassionate or melancholic he achieves it masterly!!!!!