Search - Russian Folk Songs :: Russian Folk Songs

What you pay for is what you get here.

John Austin | Kangaroo Ground, Australia | 06/08/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Budget-priced Naxos CDs can now more or less offer music from every culture, country, century and composer. This CD is offered for those who need a digitally recorded selection from the rich and varied legacy of Russian folk songs. Rich and varied as it is, and rich and varied as are the recordings of Russian folk songs in my own collection, I cannot say that this CD offers little more than adequate value for its budget price. The folk songs, as usual, are heard in arrangements for unaccompanied choir. The choir, which has a very modest performing and recording history and a lady director, sing earnestly and with good ensemble, but the effect is hindered by a recording procedure that is more appropriate for a heavy metal group than an a cappella choir. Soloists are ?miked? too closely and the choir relegated to ?backing group? status, with an artificial resonance further adding to the unnatural balance. When I add that the accompanying notes contain some of the strangest statements I have ever read, you may well agree that quality productions are likely to cost much more than the cost of this unsatisfactory CD from the Naxos catalogue."

Dramatic ! Passionate !

Andrew A. Belanger | Kailua-Kona, Hawaii United States | 12/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is well done , beautiful russian choral arrangements in a traditional setting. Well known favorites have been arranged sometimes in a more operatic style than I am used to ( or fond of ) that is why I only rated it a four star. But worth a listen on a chilly winter night."