Search - Mussorgsky, Kocherga, Berlin Phil Orch :: Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov (Complete)

Authoratative recording of original version of Boris Godunov

Ivor E. Zetler | Sydney Australia | 03/18/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This set is a cheaper reissue of the 1993 Sony recording. It is a version of the original Mussorgsky composition without any of the later alterations by other composers. Since its earlier release this version has been lauded for the quality of the singing , conducting and recorded sound. The majority of the vocal cast is Russian/Slavic; the chief exceptions are Samuel Ramey (Pimen) and Philip Langridge (Shiusky). The singing is uniformly excellent with Anatoly Kocherga firm voiced and imposing in the role of Boris. Claudio Abbado is one of the world's best Mussorgsky conductors and coaxes an expertly paced and idiomatic performance from the Berlin Philharmonic. To complete matters, this luxury "product" is warmly, clearly and naturally recorded.



The true Boris enthusiast will also need to have the Karajan (Decca), Dobrowen (EMI) and Gergiev (Philips) versions on their shelves. Abbado has strong claims to belong at the top of the list of favored recordings. Note that the skimpy booklet has no notes and only a brief summary of the libretto."