Kalinka: Russian Folk Songs

Dmitri Hvorostovsky (Artist), Russian Traditional (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 12, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B00000HY87
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,362 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #18 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Songs & Lieder > Folk Songs

Track Listings

1. Russian Folk Songs: Kalinka

2. Russian Folk Songs: Barinya

3. Russian Folk Songs: Ach Ti Slishesh Li (Ah! Do You Hear, My Dearest Fiend)

4. Russian Folk Songs: Na Gorushkye (On Little Mountain, On The Mountain)

5. Russian Folk Songs: Khorovodnaya (Round Dance)

6. Russian Folk Songs: Shto Zatumanilas (Why Have You Misted Over, Clear Sunset)

7. Russian Folk Songs: Ya Vstretil Vas (I Met You)

8. Russian Folk Songs: Ivushka (The Little Window)

9. Russian Folk Songs: Kak Menya Mladu (How Was I, A Tender Young Maiden?)

10. Russian Folk Songs: Kachelniye (Rhyming Song)

11. Russian Folk Songs: Uzh Ti Polye (Ah, You Field)

12. Russian Folk Songs: Shto Bye Belaya Berioza (As Never White Birch Tree)

13. Russian Folk Songs: Ne Slijshno Shuma Gorodskogo (The Noise Of The Town Cannot Be Heard)

14. Russian Folk Songs: Vtyomnon Leyse (In The Dark Forest)

15. Russian Folk Songs: Uzh Kak Pal Tuman (Already The Fog Has Descended)

16. Russian Folk Songs: Ach Vij Sini (Ah, Shady Spot)

17. Russian Folk Songs: Veniki (Birch - Broom)

18. Russian Folk Songs: Vyhozhu Adin Ya Na Dorogu (I Set Off Alone Down The Road)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a cup half full, but still splendid, May 21, 2004

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Kalinka: Russian Folk Songs (Audio CD)

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.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here is proof that Russian vintage only gets better with age, June 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Kalinka: Russian Folk Songs (Audio CD)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Power of Voice, The Music for the Soul, May 8, 2005

By 

Z. Yang (Hockessin, DE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kalinka: Russian Folk Songs (Audio CD)

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!