Customer Reviews

Kalinka

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This exciting collection is parimarily of Russian folk songs, though there are some actual compositions by Russian composers, such as Glinka and Rimsky-Korsakov. In listening to these beautiful recordings, if you can think past the regime, which the Red Army represented, and concentrate upon the artistic performances which the individuals and the group present, you should have no difficulty enjoying the fine quality present on this CD.

It was early 90s (91 or 92) and NC State University used to have a Friends of The College series of concerts. In the space of a few years, I saw Doc Sevrenson and Isaac Stern (I missed Cab Calloway and my parents saw Bobby McFerrin) and maybe one or 2 more. I was 8-9 yrs old then, very fortunate to have been exposed to so much great live music b/w sat morn NC Symphony concerts and the FOTC series. However, the greatest show of my youth (better than Snoopy on Ice even) and in looking back over the intervening 17 years, my favorite show of all time was Russia's Red Star Red Army Chorus. Enthralling music, superb dancing and lush singing, Red Army Chorus cemented itself in my mind that night.
My parents purchased Kalinka at the show and was played often. Certain songs would incite dance and merriment, while others invoked a vision of the toil and struggle of the people of the Steppe, while other traditinal numbers stir deep racial memories, of dances long passed and lives once lived.
Favorite songs: Reg. Polka, Meadowlands, Kalinka, Volga Boatmen, Ochi Chornya.

The little bit of this CD that I heard sounded just like I expected it to . . . sung with feeling and passion. The red army chorus has been singing for over 50 years and are as good a chorus as you will find anywhere. It was a pleasure to hear songs that I remember from my youth.