Part III: Rare and unknown voices - BORIS SHTOKOLOV

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Boris Shtokolov, Bass (1930-2005)

Sergej Rachmaninov ALEKO
Ves' tábor spit (The camp sleeps)
(Recorded in the early 1970s)

My personal opinion: Wikipedia wrote, that USSR-born Boris Shtokolov (1930-2005) was "one of the greatest basses of the 20th century". This is indeed a remarkable statement, but paradoxically you will hardly find his name in the literature, not even Kutsch and Riemens mention him in the update of their encyclopedia of great singers. In germany he is absolute unknown (no one I asked ever heard of him). Finally I found a reader`s comment in the web: "I´m puzzled by his lack of popularity in America! His albums were totally unavailable, even in stores featuring merchandise from the then Soviet Union!" All this doesn´t agree with Wikipedia´s statement. And so the question is: Who was this unknown Mr. John Doe from the east who became obviously a cult star at YouTube?
When I announced Part III for 100 Singers, some of you sent me mails requesting not to forget Boris Shtokolov. Strange, isn´t it?
I first read his name in the 80s. He was one of some other russian artists on an old vinyl longplayer, but unfortunately I´ve lost the record and forgot his name. You brought back this singer to me some months ago with your demands. Reason enough, to scope out his voice again. It is stated, that russian Red Army officer Zhukov said to Shtokolov: "There are many guys like you in aviation, but in opera singing you are unique!" It´s a statement that made me curious, and so I began to refresh my memories by hearing some old russian folksongs. To be honest: My first impression was disillusion. Granted: Boris Shtokolovs voice is that of a typical russian bass - dark, sonorous and gloomy. But I couldn´t find more subtle nuances. He performed with a put-on dramatic (in "Vetsherni zvon" garnished with a bugging bell concert). More: In his performance of "The Volga boatmen" I even heard sometimes brittle and slightly hoarse sounds - not the ideal of "one of the greatest basses of the 20th century". And some amazon-costumers wrote bad reviews... And in view to officer Zhukov´s praise, de facto it´s hard to find opera recordings with Shtokolov (He recorded a recital with conductor Mansurov in the 1970s). As far as I can see, he never was casted for a complete recording, not even for a russian opera. Nevertheless two contributions deserve more attention: Prince Gremin´s aria from EUGEN ONEGIN and the Cavatine from ALEKO by Rachmaninov. The first is not more than the exhibition of a voice singing in one-dimensional manner (without the characteristic expressiveness of Gottlob Frick and far away from the refine melancholy of Boris Christoff), the second from ALEKO is potentially his best recording (and another evidence for the greatness of russian opera): He is involved, controlled in expression and breathing - and on the last reprise of the final phrase he put on a fine crescendo. It´s the climax of the aria, and Shtokolov made it a proper highlight. Sorry, for me it´s not enough to confirm his reputation. It seems, Boris Shtokolov was an impressive singer of russian folksongs on the concert stage, but without further meaning in the post war history of great russian OPERA-singers. For reasons I can´t understand he became an iconic cult artist in former Soviet Union and Russia, but I´m not a Russian and certainly I miss something. Once the leading bass of the Kirovsky Theatre for almost 30 years, currently Boris Shtokolov is now a singer to rediscover - if you like...

THE COMPLETE OVERVIEW: GO TO ALL SINGERS IN THIS LIST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBsScnQWVlU

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Boris
• Shtokolov
• Bass

[paulostroff99]

Superb! TY 100 singers.for posting

[gotthelf100]

So wie Fischer-Dieskau beispielsweise unübertroffen im deutschen Lied war, war Shtokolow ein einzigartiger Interpret russischer Romanzen, anknüpfend an den unvergleichlichen Fjodor Schaljapin. Er war durch und durch ein RUSSISCHER Bass - eben darin bestand seine Größe. In Russland jedenfalls kennt bis heute jeder Shtokolow, und für sehr viele Musikliebhaber dort ist er eine Ikone - und ich meine nicht zu unrecht.

[gotthelf100]

Nicht einverstanden: er ist sehr wohl zu unrecht im Westen unbekannt. Und das einfach nur deshalb, weil das Sowjetregime ihn nicht ins Ausland hat reisen lassen. An der Oper in Petersburg (Leningrad) hat er natürlich auch Mozart und Verdi gesungen, nur gibt es davon leider kaum Aufnahmen. Und um ein ganz großer Sänger zu sein, muß man nicht unbedingt auch Wagner singen.

[ingriddoppler]

@100Singers Hallo Mike, auf diesen Künstler hab ich schon lange gewartet,hab vielen Dank ; eventhough I am a little disappointed to hear your opinion of this,

to my sensibility and ears, very much exciting and moving voice ~ too bad you didn´t post Mr. Shtokolov´s version of "Ya vas liubil " I don´t think his interpretation there could be juged as "lacking subtle nuances " or singing in "one-dimensional manner ".

Looking forward to your next surprise. Liebe Grüsse, Ingrid

[meltzerboy]

Boris Shtokolov is an excellent choice because this great bass is largely unknown to Westerners, even record collectors. Mark Reizen, an artist of comparable stature, is much better known to many of us. Shtokolov has a deep, rich, imposing voice capable of dramatic expression as well as sensitive lyricism. He is in the best Russian and Ukrainian tradition of superb bass singing. Thanks for sharing this, Mike!

[tenorvoicefan]

Ich habe genau hingehört. Aber er ist nicht zu Unrecht "Rare and Unknown".

Leider kann er nicht richtig beurteilt werden, dafür fehlt es bei ihm an Wagner, Verdi oder Mozart.

Daher ist eine Einschätzung nur schwer möglich. Aber ich finde ihn eindimensional, nur eine dunkle Stimme reicht nicht. Kein Vergleich mit den ganz Großen, auch wenn jede Beurteilung Stückwerk ist.

[Aleksei5]

YES

[ah332]

one of the greatest basses of the 20th century. for sure

[maxtanz]

great post. thnx for sharing.