Russian Album

Anna Netrebko (Artist), Valery Gergiev (Conductor), Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra & Chorus (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra & Chorus
• Conductor: Valery Gergiev
• Audio CD (January 9, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000IZK4YE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,558 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #50 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Vocal & Song
  • #62 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > Composers > Rachmaninov, Sergei
  • #69 in Music > Classical > Chamber Music > By Period > Modern & 20th Century

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This is a collection of well-to-lesser-known Russian arias by composers from Glinka to Prokofiev, with stops along the way for Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Rachmaninov. The lovely Anna Netrebko remains a glamorous singer, pure of voice, with always-musical phrasing and some exquisitely high soft singing. Particularly fine are a little-known Tchaikovsky Romance with castanets, bassoon, and piccolo adding color; the vivid, Italianate selection from Glinka's A Life for the Tsar; two lyrical Rachmaninov songs (here scored for orchestra); and the Letter Scene from Eugene Onegin, which is delivered with the drama of a true singing actress. Otherwise, many of the arias here are slow and have a certain sameness about them. Netrebko sometimes just sings instead of getting inside them. Netrebko's Italian output so far has been far more exciting, but it's great to have this Russian repertoire sung so beautifully on CD. --Robert Levine

Product Description

After astonishing debuts as an unknown young singer, Anna Netrebko is now one of the world's favorite opera heroines. Now, for the first time, she's ready to lavish her pure, powerful voice on composers from her homeland, in a program of some of the most beautiful arias and songs in the Russian repertoire. Russian Songs is a deeply personal recording, made in the opera house where she first found stardom, St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre, and conducted by Anna's mentor and friend who has championed her from the start: Valery Gergiev. This collection includes Anna in her signature role, Natasha from Prokofiev's War and Peace - which launched her career at the Metropolitan Opera in 2002. In addition. Anna gives listeners a taste of roles yet to come with Tatiana's letter scene from Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin. Anna Netrebko has made it her mission to bring opera to a wider public. Following the huge success of her last solo recording Sempre Libera and the acclaimed Salzburg La Traviata releases, Anna will show once again that she knows how to captivate audiences.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is Anna Netrebko as she should be, November 19, 2006

By 

Ingrid Heyn "No man is an Iland, intire of it... (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Russian Album (Audio CD)

I've found fault with Anna Netrebko's singing before... not because of her voice (which is extremely beautiful), but because of the repertoire, her lack of accurate coloratura (and no trill), and a feeling that she was not conveying the heart and soul of the character. But the difference between her singing of Italian repertoire and Russian repertorie is almost unbelievable.

This CD was a delight from the very first note. Not only are these Russian soprano roles perfect for her voice type, but Ms Netrebko conveyed superbly the inner personalities of the characters. Everything was there - the vulnerability of Natasha, the ecstatic innocence of the Snow Maiden, the joyous amazement and goodness of the young blind princess who is made to see for the first time through the power of love... everything.

I was enthralled by this superb recording from beginning to end. The Rachmaninov songs, too, were heavenly to listen to - I kept thinking, "Yes! This is how Zdes hauraushau should be sung! Yes!".

The colour of Anna Netrebko's voice is perfect for Russian repertoire. Her emotional connection with these roles is undeniable, and she conveys every nuance to the listener. I can scarcely wait to hear a recording of War and Peace with her in the pivotal soprano role, and what of a new recording of Eugene Onegin with Ms Netrebko as Tatyana? The Queen of Spades with Ms Netrebko as Lisa? I am convinced, after hearing this superb CD, that she would be the ideal exponent for the soprano roles of these operas.

Let me not forget the outstanding and magnificent conducting of Gergiev, and as for the orchestra! Oh! The colours of this absolutely wonderful orchestra bring so much to each and every track. The partnership between Netrebko and Gergiev is an artistic miracle.

I purchased this CD in the hopes that it would be better than Ms Netrebko's previous albums, as I thought the Russian repertoire would suit her better than bel canto. I frankly admit I didn't expect the magnificent achievement of this recording - it is far, far, far better than I'd hoped for. More of this, please! I would love to hear Ms Netrebko release more Russian repertoire, be it with orchestra or piano.

Unequivocally recommended.

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anna in her Element, February 4, 2007

By 

Bruce Varner (Chicago area, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Russian Album (Audio CD)

Anna Netrebko loves this repertoire. It shows with every note she sings on this CD. She is paired with Maestro Valery Gergiev, himself a lover of vocal music and a tremendous exponent of Russian opera. Netrebko, Gergiev, and the musicians of the Orchestra of the Marinsky Theatre have created something very special in this CD. I love it, and think you will too.

The bookend arias on this CD are from Iolanta and Eugene Onegin. Tchaikovsky, the undisputed master of melody, captures the pathos in Iolanta's questioning, and the passion and ardor of Tatyana as she writes to her beloved. Netrebko captures both of these heroines beautifully. Not nearly enough Russian opera is produced in the United States. I hope at least some day, we can see and hear Anna sing Tatyana.

I loved the Rachmaninov songs. They are settings of poems by Pushkin, and they are absolutely beautiful. This leads me to something else that makes this CD so special. The liner notes are fantastic, with wonderful translations. Anna's Russian diction is so clear, you'll have no trouble following.

There are four arias of Rimsky-Korsakov, including one from "The Tale of Tsar Sultan", two from "The Snow Maiden", and one from "The Tsar's Bride". These are very special, since our chances of seeing these operas produced in the U.S. is slim-to-none. They are fantastic arias, with my favorite being Marfa's Act 4 aria. Rimsky-Korsakov wrote the book (literally) on orchestration, and no composer could paint a picture like him.

I also found the bouncy "Cavatina and Rondo" from Glinka's "A Life for the Tsar" quite enjoyable. It's almost like an operetta aria.

This CD is a wonderful counterpoint to Renee Fleming's "I Want Magic". Renee's CD couldn't be more American, and Anna's CD couldn't be more Russian. All of the beauty, passion, and soul of Russian music is brought to life by this wonderful artist. This CD is a must for your collection.

Highly recommended.

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best possible Netrebko, January 31, 2007

By 

J. Luis Juarez Echenique "pepechenique" (Mexico City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Russian Album (Audio CD)

No, there is nothing bland or boring here. This is certainly the best recital Anna Netrebko has given us. While singing Bellini or Verdi she can sound foreign, especially because she doesn't articulate consonants clearly, she is throughly idiomatic in her own language, and her opulent soprano has an almost Tebaldi-like purity. This is one of those few recitals that will be long-remembered. Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra are a perfect match. Do buy it.