I Come out Alone ... (in Russian, words by Mikhail Lermontov)
Kazbek Monastery (in Russian, words by Alexander Pushkin)
The Day-Star is Gone (in Russian, words by Alexander Pushkin)
A Dream (in Russian, words by Mikhail Lermontov)
The Faded Joy of My Wild Years (in Russian, words by Alexander Pushkin)
The Grumble (in Russian, words by E. Baratynsky)
Anticipation (in Russian, words by E. Baratynsky)
O Nott, o Dolce Tempo (in Italian, words by Michelangelo)
A Vittoria Colonna (in Italian, words by Michelangelo)
Eran Trecento (in Italian, words by L. Mercantini)
Love's philosophy (in English, words by P.B.Shelley)
To Science (in English, words by E.A.Poe)
I heed not (in English, words by E.A.Poe)
Romance (in English, words by E.A.Poe)
Bridal Ballad (in English, words by E.A.Poe)
Ozymandias (in English, words by P.B.Shelley)
Alexander Feht's music shies away from racking experiments with atonality, frowns upon the fashionable premeditated murder of anything remotely "tuny", and returns us to the grass roots of classical tradition. Composer bel... more »ieves that real music cannot survive without a harmony based on the laws of natural acoustic perception, as real poetry cannot exist without an understandable language. However, a trained ear will immediately notice some influences of the contemporary tonal music, new harmonies, new modulations. Feht does what every notable composer did in his time: uses traditional material as a sound foundation for enduring creativity. Feht's music has its own unmistakable and beautiful classical feel. Alexander Feht has written more than 100 art songs, an opera, violin and piano sonatas, several string quartets, and a chamber symphony. His future CDs will contain full song cycles. The next one, "Arion", will consist of the 21 songs on the famous Alexander Pushkin's poems. His current disc, "Demon", is something of a sampler of songs taken from the various cycles; this collection is a good introduction to Feht's music.« less
Alexander Feht's music shies away from racking experiments with atonality, frowns upon the fashionable premeditated murder of anything remotely "tuny", and returns us to the grass roots of classical tradition. Composer believes that real music cannot survive without a harmony based on the laws of natural acoustic perception, as real poetry cannot exist without an understandable language. However, a trained ear will immediately notice some influences of the contemporary tonal music, new harmonies, new modulations. Feht does what every notable composer did in his time: uses traditional material as a sound foundation for enduring creativity. Feht's music has its own unmistakable and beautiful classical feel. Alexander Feht has written more than 100 art songs, an opera, violin and piano sonatas, several string quartets, and a chamber symphony. His future CDs will contain full song cycles. The next one, "Arion", will consist of the 21 songs on the famous Alexander Pushkin's poems. His current disc, "Demon", is something of a sampler of songs taken from the various cycles; this collection is a good introduction to Feht's music.
CD Reviews
Lovely lyrical art songs
Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 07/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These 17 art songs by Alexander Feht are melodic beautiful pieces...and though some of the compositions are quite complex, they land on my ears with pleasant ease. 8 are in Russian, 3 in Italian, and 6 in English.Nikolai Doroshkin, who sings the first 15 songs, has a powerful tenor voice...though I wouldn't describe it as having a "smooth" sound, it's robust and extremely expressive, with an outstanding range. Track 16 is sung by Rufina James, a fine soprano with rich deep tones. Sergey Chechetko's piano accompaniment is excellent, with a terrific technique that however always is in balance, giving the singer center stage.The final track is "Ozymandias", the poem by P.B.Shelley, and is sung by the composer. As the insert states: "...for those who would be interested in hearing his voice, though the composer readily admits that he is not a professional singer"...and I certainly was interested...he doesn't possess a big voice, but the interpretation of his own composition is wonderful.The insert contains the English text of all the songs, bios of the artists, and some comments by Mr. Feht on the state of music today that I think most accurate, and that applies to the condition of most of the arts.Bravo Alexander Feht, for this marvelous CD, and to Maria Feht who helped bring it to fruition."
New Renaissance in Russian art song genre
Carl Zimmerman | Teaneck, NJ United States | 07/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Since I received the CD of Alexander Feht's "Demon" from Amazon.com, I listen to it several times per day. IMHO, Feht's revival of the Russian art song genre melds his own innovative creative work will those resembling Rachmaninov. The lyrics of some songs are Pushkin's poetry, and if I were Pushkin, I'd encourage Feht to set my poetry to music. Feht innovatively chose the Russian singers to sing the songs on this CD. They're great, and they weren't chosen for him. I suggest that Feht write the music for an opera based on Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment." Carl Zimmerman, Teaneck, NJ, USA"
Demon is a blessing
katia38 | usa | 07/27/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Listening to Alexander Feht's original compositions feels a bit like listening to history in the making, with the composer choosing just the right artists to perform his work. The piano work is simply beautiful; clean, expressive with depth of soul. Doroshlkin's exciting, heroic tenor seemed a bit much at times, given the dark nature of some of the lyrics, but his extrordinary range is needed for most of the pieces. On the English ones, his intelligent phrasing keeps his heavy accent at bay. I enjoy this disc very much and would also like to hear more of Feht's piano compositions."
Tradition is alive
katia38 | 08/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mr. Feht's Demon proves that our serious music is alive and well. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that he had the courage to continue the noble tradition of translating into music the romantic poetry of the past. The professional level of the performance is high, and Mr. Chechetko proved to be an accompanist with a real understanding of the idea of this production. Let us hope that this disc is just the beginning."
Wonderful
Sara Coney | Isa Town, BH | 07/22/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I always enjoyed classical music, but when I listen to Alexander Feht, I don't know what happens. His music makes me feel fresh inside and makes me feel very relaxed. Now, I listen to it everyday since April and the more I listen to it the more I love it. I really think that you should try it, this is not just some classical music, this is something way more than that, believe me."
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1