Mussorgsky: The Nursery: Sunless; Songs and Dances of Death [Original recording remastered]

Modest Mussorgsky (Composer), George Tzipine (Conductor), Radio France National Orchestra (Orchestra), Alexandre Labinsky (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Alexandre Labinsky
• Orchestra: Radio France National Orchestra
• Conductor: George Tzipine
• Composer: Modest Mussorgsky
• Audio CD (April 8, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00008QSCF
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #279,854 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music to make you forget who you are for a minute, August 12, 2003

By 

Nicholas Edwards (Belchertown, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mussorgsky: The Nursery: Sunless; Songs and Dances of Death (Audio CD)

I was told about Christoff's 1950s recordings by a musician friend. I had heard a little bit about him, and was already
familiar with some of the Mussorgsky songs in another recording,
so figured I couldn't miss. To say that I was flabbergasted would be putting it lightly. The man was not only a superb singer - what control! what versatility! - he was a consummate actor. After all, they say he was the best Boris Godunov since Chaliapin - I believe it. But, to particulars: On the first half of this disc he is accompanied by a terrific pianist (whose name temporarily escapes me)and on the other half by the Orchestre de la Radiodiffusion Francaise, who are a tad ragged (as they often were) and undermiked at times but fine powerful accompaniment. If all you know of Mussorgsky is the Pictures - and you have a taste for the unusual - you owe it to yourself to pick this up. Your life will never be quite the same again, I guarantee it!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something very special, April 21, 2004

By 

wilmoth houdini (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mussorgsky: The Nursery: Sunless; Songs and Dances of Death (Audio CD)

The previous reviewer was pretty much spot on. Christoff is genuinely magnificent in these recordings, power and beauty coexist in his voice, and the deep emotion he expresses is made more powerful by being tempered by control. The accompaniment serves to showcase this voice and is more than adequate to this task. It is perhaps not always "Herbert Von Karajan" smooth, but this is probably no disadvantage, you could argue that this is in keeping with this selection of Mussorgsky's wonderful"rough hewn" folk flavoured music. As the previous reviewer indicated, this will appeal to fans of the unusual as it is in itself something remarkably different to almost anything I've heard before. I can say however that out of the 1000 + recordings I own, it is very probably the one I am most glad I purchased, and certainly one of my very favourites. Unfortunately I am probably preaching to the choir, as if you are reading this review you probably already enjoy Mussorgsky, or are at least familiar or interested in his work. You may also be a fan of Schubert's song cycles and Lieder.If that is the case then you should certainly enjoy this C.D. The sad point is that this recording should also appeal to people who as yet still believe that they have no interest in "Classical" music, and may never come across this recording. I would certainly recommend this to Tom Waits fans for a start, especially those who enjoyed his recent album "Alice",and also afficionados of Folk music, World music or the art of songwriting.
I know it's a cliche, but I'd have to give this 6 stars out of 5

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Boris Christof sings Mussorgsky, November 22, 2008

By 

Jean-paul H. Bierny (Tucson, Arizona) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mussorgsky: The Nursery: Sunless; Songs and Dances of Death (Audio CD)

I remember this recording from my early adulthood. I am so glad this is available again. Fantastic music, sung by the best bass ever!