Product Details

• Actors: Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Constantine Orbelian, Moscow Chamber Orchestra
• Format: Classical, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Video Artists Int'l
• DVD Release Date: February 8, 2005
• Run Time: 59 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0007IO7BI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,133 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the power of beauty, May 28, 2005

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dmitri Hvorostovsky - Russian Songs from the War Years (DVD)

Dmitri Hvorostovsky is overwhelming in this concert of war era songs, taken mostly from WWII, that Hvorostovsky interprets with such subtle intensity that one doesn't have to know the meaning of the words. The sound alone tells the story, and one finds the tears rolling down one's cheeks from the sheer beauty of it.
Hvorostovsky is one of the greatest baritones in operatic history, and has been Russia's gift to the world, as well as being one of its best ambassadors, bringing Russian music to a wide audience. From the song cycles of Georgi Sviridov, to the rousing folk songs, to the melodic, moving pieces in this concert, finer renditions cannot be found.

Set in the 6,500 seat concert hall of the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow, on April 8, 2003, Hvorostovsky stands in front of the orchestra and chorus in a black suit and open white shirt. The camera often focuses on his expressive face, which occasionally breaks into a smile that would melt the winter snow in Krasnoyarsk, the Siberian city that was his birthplace in 1962. There are occasional views of the tearful audience, and moments when they bring him flowers, which he accepts and places center stage.
Whether one sits and watches this astonishing singer, or just listens to his dark, rich voice, this DVD is a treasure for anyone who likes Russian music, or appreciates the best of all possible voices.

Constantine Orbelian is an award winning pianist and conductor, and has worked extensively with Hvorostovsy. Born in San Francisco, he is the only foreign artist to be awarded the title "Honored Artist of Russia", and here leads the Moscow Chamber Orchestra; also included in this program are the Style of Five Ensemble, the Yale Alumni Chorus, and the Spiritual Revival Choir.
Total running time is 59 minutes. There are no subtitles but the name of the song and composer are briefly put on the screen.
There is a booklet enclosure with short bios and text of the songs in English and transliterated Russian.
The song list: 1: "Soldiers are Coming", 2: "Dark is the Night", 3: "Unexpected Waltz", 4: "The Roads", 5: "On a Nameless Hill", 6: "Somewhere far Away", 7: "Katyusha", 8: "The Hills of Manchuria", 9: "The Sacred Stone", 10: "The Lonely Accordion", 11: "Cranes", 12: "The Last Battle", 13: "My Moscow".

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars By the throat, July 5, 2005

By 

GEORGE RANNIE "GWRJWMCL" (DENVER, COLORADO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dmitri Hvorostovsky - Russian Songs from the War Years (DVD)

I completely agree with the other reviewers regarding this DVD of a concert of Russian War Songs sung by Dmitri Hvorostovsky. What a moving concert! Dmitri sings these songs wonderfully grabbing emotionally this listener and the audience "by the throat"! I own the CD "Songs of War Years" with Hvorostovsky singing these same songs; his singing on the CD also moves me very much. However, seeing and hearing him before an audience (most in tears) comprising of, I'm sure, individuals that these songs have a very special and profound meaning to (WWII, after all, was fought in Russia's front and backyards) is an experience not to be soon forgotten. This DVD puts me right in the audience. Thus, I too was moved to tears often.
This is NOT an operatic concert. Dmitri sings most of the songs in a movingly beautiful mezza-voce only allowing his voice "full out" a couple of times on the more militaristic songs-that was, of course, very thrilling! What control! He truly posses one of the most beautiful baritone voices I've ever heard!
The audience gave him many standing ovations and many bouquets of flowers during the entire concert eliciting, from him, that gorgeous smile of his.
For an emotional and moving concert of beautiful songs, buy this DVD.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely incredible!, March 19, 2005

By 

M. Bingley (Lincolnshire, England.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dmitri Hvorostovsky - Russian Songs from the War Years (DVD)

I'm not given to hyperbole, but this DVD truly is incredible. It's taken from a live concert given by Dmitri Hvorosovsky in Russia, and he is in superb voice. Not only that, he's also on top form when it comes to communicating with his audience, and clearly feels deeply and passionately about every one of these songs. As the concert progresses, the audience become almost as much a part of the performance as Hvorostovsky, and the atmosphere is so good that it makes you wish you could have been there. Watching some of the older members of the audience weep brought a lump to my throat. It must have been a night to remember for the rest of your life. If you can only buy one of this brilliant baritone's DVDs, then I'd recommend this one. There aren't any subtitles, but there is a booklet which gives you the words, and to be honest Hvorostovsky is so expressive that you get the feel of them anyway. This is an artist who appears to be going from strength to strength, and this is a DVD which demonstrates that fact brilliantly. Buy it, you won't be disappointed!