Dmitri Hvorostovsky - "Songs and Dances of Death"

[TheRealCritique]

I saw DH sing this work at the SF opera house in 1998 or so. We had these box seats in a balcony that leaned forward, and I was getting a bit of vertigo, and the more he sang, the worse the feeling got, despite the beauty of his voice. Finally we traded with our friends behind us who were more than happy to move. Would've been quite a spectacle for a man to jump onto the stage from the balcony during this piece. Anyway, it was an incredible night.

[Irjaifi]

Minä tykkän näistä kuoleman lauluista. Paras mahdollinen esittäjä näille laulluille. Kiitos!

[USEditor]

***** This is the definitive recording of Song #2 "Serenade" from "Songs and Dances of Death" — Dmitri Hvorostovsky has made this piece literally "his own" in every way.

[LJBSasha]

The English translation-subtitles aren't completely accurate, but they'll do. Most certainly this part of the cycle is perhaps my favourite. Pity that Dutoit isn't quite as patient in accompanying Khvorostóvskiy as Gjórgijev was earlier; however, it's still excellent!! 5 stars...

[beethomozart]

it was Dmitri Shostakovich who orchestrated this cycle of 4 songs written originally for piano and voice by Mussorgsky, between 1875-77, nice bass voice of famous interpreter Hvorostovsky

[devoludo]

I love this piece... it has a powerful poetic weight.

[bistry18]

how`s orchestration is this?

[tawtsai]

I believe it is Shostakovich's, it says at the very beginning of these videos (before the 'Lullaby').