Customer Reviews

Russian Cossack Music From the Urals

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

 

 

There's some good music on here, performed well. I like that there's a cross-section of liturgical and folk songs. It's got a very Russian, rich texture.

The songs are mostly "folk ensemble stanbys" - The Volga Boatmen, Stenka Razin, Kalinka . . ., so the title baffles me a bit. Only one or two of the songs could be called "Cossack" by any stretch of the imagination. Neither are they from the Urals.

For real Cossack music, which is unique and very powerful, look for Kazachii Krug, Bratina, or the Kuban Cossack Chorus. They're hard to find, but definitely worth it. Enjoy this one as an inexpensive sampler of popular russian folk and sacred music.

There are some glorious voices on this CD, mostly bass/baritone, with a few marvelous turns by a tenor (track # 9, "The Lonely Bell" by Glinka is exquisite !).
The first few songs are a cappella, with the balalaika and organ accompaniment starting at track # 8, and it includes one instrumental (# 10, "I Met Her"), which is beautiful.

With the exception of "Kalinka", all the songs are slow, melodic, and very moving...with many having a religious feel to them. The highlight for me is the medley of "Song of the River Dnjepr" and "Song of the Volga Boat Men". It's an emotional rendition, with the baritone giving us some lovely pianissimos.

There are no liner notes that come with this CD, which is a pity. I would have liked to know more about these extraordinary voices, and also to know why the solo voice on the first track, "Prayer Litany", sings in what sounds like German...perhaps a future more knowledgeable reviewer can tell us why.
This is a terrific CD for any Russian music collection, and at a nifty price for 54 minutes of great singing.

The more I listen to this album the more I like it. Some of the richest baritone and bass voices I've ever heard. This music truly expresses the soul of old Russia and its strong, artistic people.

At first I was disappointed. Now I find it very enjoyable. It is hauntingly beautiful and plaintive. There are, of course, religious tracks which add to the beauty of this music. There are also tracks of folk music which makes for a nice variety of music. Overall the music is very soothing and good for the soul and heart.

The voices are great, of course, but there's very little of the rousing boisterousness I like in Russian chorus music. I guess I'm more of an 'Army Chorus' fan.