Russian Songs

Nicolai Ghiaurov (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 14, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B00000423B
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #361,546 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. None But The Lonely Heart Op.6 No.6 - Nicolai Ghiaurov

2. Not A Word, Oh My Love Op.6 NO.2 - Nicolai Ghiaurov

3. Don Juan's Serenade, Op.38 No.1 - Nicolai Ghiaurov

4. It Was In The Early Springs, Op.38 No.2 - Nicolai Ghiaurov

5. Mid The Noisy Stir Of The Ball, OP.38 No. 3 - Nicolai Ghiaurov

6. I Bless You, Woods, Op.47 No.5 - Nicolai Ghiaurov

7. For The Shores Of Your Far-Off Native Land - Nicolai Ghiaurov

8. Midnight Review - Nicolai Ghiaurov

9. Melody - Nicolai Ghiaurov

10. The Worm - Nicolai Ghiaurov

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. The Cliff - Zlatina Ghiaurov

2. The Volga BVoatmen - Zlatina Ghiaurov

3. The Little Oak Cudge - Zlatina Ghiaurov

4. A Ukrainian Stringed Instrument - Zlatina Ghiaurov

5. Stenka Razin - Zlatina Ghiaurov

6. Along Petersburg Street - Zlatina Ghiaurov

7. In The Dark Forest - Zlatina Ghiaurov

8. Dark Eyes - Zlatina Ghiaurov

9. Dear Little Night - Zlatina Ghiaurov

10. The 12 Brigands - Zlatina Ghiaurov

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars nicely done!, February 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Russian Songs (Audio CD)

Any Russians out there? If not, that's ok too: the beauty of Russian romances presented here can be understood through your heart. While the first CD consists of piano-accompanied songs written by great Russian composers (Tchaikovsky, Borodin, et al), the second CD is rather a cross-over album of Russian (and one Ukrainian) folk songs, including, of course, the famous "Dark Eyes". Both albums are true jewels. With perfect clarity and diction, Ghiaurov's splendid bass glows over exquisite melodies; his passion for them is real and heartfelt. From tragic "For the shores of your far-off native land" to satiric "The worm" Ghiaurov's interpretations are just as gripping as Chaliapin's. The vocal skills are amazing: listen how he tenderly softens his voice on "Amidst the noisy stir of the ball" and expand it thunderously on "Sten'ka Razin"! It is undoubtedly one of the best song collections coming from the best Boris Godunov of our time. Don't miss it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ghiaurov rules....! And he deserves more than 5 stars!, April 28, 2002

By 

Rachel Howard (ocklawaha, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Russian Songs (Audio CD)

I used to have a great deal of this material on vinyl LP, so I'm grabbing this up as soon as possible. London's transfers are usually impeccable, so I expect no problems with the sounds- and the sound on the originals was spectacular. Ghiaurov seemed to me to have a fine feel for this music and the voice is something to die for- huge, robust, soaring... yet capable of subtle beauties many other basses ignore.

Frankly, Ghiaurov is the standard by which I judge other basses in this genre. Maxim Mikhailov and Mark Reizen come to mind as incredible voices and interpreters, as well as Boris Gmyria. Reizen especially had the quintessential basso cantante voice, with a beauty and range of dynamics that is hard to resist. Nicolai Ghiaurov was a fine successor to these lofty singers and I doubt anyone who loves this music will be disappointed. The Song of the Volga Boatmen is superbly done, with beauty, compassion, and a soaring vocal line that really has to be heard to be believed. Stenka Razin also is highly recommended.

I remember listening to these songs over and over; not knowing what most of them were about, but getting lost in the emotions and majesty of this music. In other words... you like this genre? And bass voices? Buy this!

1 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The worst cd, February 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Russian Songs (Audio CD)

The cd has nothing going for it if your american because you can't understand anything and there is no beats.