Search - Sergey Rachmaninov, Georgy Vasilevich Sviridov, Dmitri Hvorostovsky :: Dmitri Hvorostovsky ~ Svridov - Russia Cast Adrift

Come for the Rachmaninov and stay for the Sviridov!

06/05/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The world of music should be grateful that the late Georgi Sviridov found such an invincible champion for his stunning and yet accessible song cycles. Even with uncharted repertoire Hvorostovsky does a painstaking job and never disappoints the listener. Mikhail Arkadiev works magic with the often episodic piano accompaniments, which sound by no means easy. Of course the Rachmaninov is very nice, like a refreshing salad before a scrumptious main course. But the Sviridov deserves a wide audience. It is to be hoped as of this posting that his cycle 'Petersburg' (a foundation stone of Hvorostovsky's latest recital tour program) will also be recorded in its entirety."

Indescribably beautiful music, superlative performances.

Lauren Hart | Indianapolis, IN USA | 09/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD was hard to find. After a few months of searching, I decided to buy `gently used.' But I am not sorry at all. I very much wanted to hear more of Sviridov's music, having absorbed the thrilling Petersburg song cycle, also performed by these two extraordinary musicians.



Let me say first that Sviridov's music truly drives both performances. Long a fan of pianist Mikhail Arkadiev, I was surprised by what I heard. His playing is always superb, but on this CD, he is beyond inspired.



This sentiment goes double for Dmitri Hvorostovsky, whose interpretation of Russia Cast Adrift has been criticized in the past. I was very moved by his work here. His artistry is always amazing, but the depth of his interpretation is such that I can barely explain how or what I feel when I listen to it. His voice is superb, his performance flawless, his talent seemingly without boundary. An original, unique, and singular vocalist.



If you can find this CD, buy it at any cost. Otherwise, you will be missing out on something very special indeed.

"

One of Hvorostovsky's best

D. MCGOVERN | New Zealand | 12/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hvorostovsky is in terrific form here, bringing a compelling intensity to these often-anguished Sviridov songs. While many music lovers may initially be drawn to the more accessible Rachmaninov songs, it's the Sviridov cycle that ultimately stands out here. Enhanced by Hvorostovsky's dark timbre and sensitive phrasing, songs such as The Owl and the riveting Milky Way emerge as profoundly haunting miniature masterpieces. Shortly after this recording was made, the octogenarian Sviridov (1915-1998) would write another song cycle - this time expressly for the great Hvorostovsky: the equally memorable Petersburg - a Vocal Poem, released on the Delos label in 2004."