Dmitri Hvorostovsky - Russian Songs from the War Years Review

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(More customer reviews)Dmitri Hvorostovsky is overwhelming in this concert of war era songs, taken mostly from WWII, that Hvorostovsky interprets with such subtle intensity that one doesn't have to know the meaning of the words. The sound alone tells the story, and one finds the tears rolling down one's cheeks from the sheer beauty of it.
Hvorostovsky is one of the greatest baritones in operatic history, and has been Russia's gift to the world, as well as being one of its best ambassadors, bringing Russian music to a wide audience. From the song cycles of Georgi Sviridov, to the rousing folk songs, to the melodic, moving pieces in this concert, finer renditions cannot be found.
Set in the 6,500 seat concert hall of the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow, on April 8, 2003, Hvorostovsky stands in front of the orchestra and chorus in a black suit and open white shirt. The camera often focuses on his expressive face, which occasionally breaks into a smile that would melt the winter snow in Krasnoyarsk, the Siberian city that was his birthplace in 1962. There are occasional views of the tearful audience, and moments when they bring him flowers, which he accepts and places center stage.
Whether one sits and watches this astonishing singer, or just listens to his dark, rich voice, this DVD is a treasure for anyone who likes Russian music, or appreciates the best of all possible voices.
Constantine Orbelian is an award winning pianist and conductor, and has worked extensively with Hvorostovsy. Born in San Francisco, he is the only foreign artist to be awarded the title "Honored Artist of Russia", and here leads the Moscow Chamber Orchestra; also included in this program are the Style of Five Ensemble, the Yale Alumni Chorus, and the Spiritual Revival Choir.
Total running time is 59 minutes. There are no subtitles but the name of the song and composer are briefly put on the screen.
There is a booklet enclosure with short bios and text of the songs in English and transliterated Russian.
The song list: 1: "Soldiers are Coming", 2: "Dark is the Night", 3: "Unexpected Waltz", 4: "The Roads", 5: "On a Nameless Hill", 6: "Somewhere far Away", 7: "Katyusha", 8: "The Hills of Manchuria", 9: "The Sacred Stone", 10: "The Lonely Accordion", 11: "Cranes", 12: "The Last Battle", 13: "My Moscow".


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