GREATEST BASSO - Boris Shtokolov

This collection of clips shows his finest moments. Let me tell you picking just 10 minutes out of my collection was extremely difficult.

Usually I find it both pretentious and ridiculous to talk about a "best" voice, given the vast attributes and qualities voices can have, and the interference of personal taste. But I think you might agree based on these clips, that we are forced to begin thinking of such a title for this particular singer.
Countless avid listeners of bass voices, having been introduced to Shtokolov for the first time, have quickly come to the conclusion he had the greatest bass voice, even when hardened adorers of Christoff, Reizen, Siepi, Frick etc.

In my pervious videos of him I described his voice in this way -"Its most striking features are the expressiveness and dynamics. Everything from love to sadness to joy to anger are honestly articulated. The ease of transition from forte to pianissimo is unmatched by any other singer (except perhaps tenor franco corelli) and unheard of in a bass. The legato is seamless, the diction clear, and the ease and efficiency of production is astounding! To him, it seems no more difficult than a whisper."

User khankonchak described his voice in this way -"His voice was a genuine basso profondo-very dark, rotund, and powerful, but at the same time perfectly controlled, even, and flexible throughout its entire range, with an effortless top. The timbre is smooth as velvet, never harsh, and instantly recognizable (a characteristic of many great singers, it seems), and Shtokolov's trademark diminuendos and floated pianissimos are nothing short of miraculous, unmatched by any other bass in my listening experience."

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• GREATEST
• BASSO
• PROFONDO
• profundo
• profoundo
• Boris
• Shtokolov

[khankonchak]

Chaliapin was a basso cantante, as were Journet, Pinza, Reizen, Strienz, Petrov, and Ghiaurov. Anyone who is unable to hear the difference between these voices and that of Shtokolov is either half-deaf, a terribly inexperienced listener, or both. In any case, some of the comments below make it painfully obvious that their authors know precious little about the bass voice. Shtokolov WAS an operatic BASSO PROFONDO, one of the greatest to have performed and recorded in the 20th century.

[MusashiTzu]

thanks for clearing that up friend. On another note did you notice there is now video of live shtokolov performances on youtube? Something I know you will enjoy:)

[SiViSaraVendetta]

I agree with LardoDiColonnate (nice nickname, by the way!!). He is defintely not a basso profondo.

[MusashiTzu]

Thats a 3rd person, but are you considering also the difference in choral and operatic profondos? If enough evidence points me in the oppisite direction I will change the title. Either way, he is still my favorite bass of all time.

[soren476]

Basso ProfUndo

[MusashiTzu]

Actually, your quite likely to find three different spellings depending on where you look, I just chose 1.

[linguine99]

I am totally blown away. Wonderful, expressive singing from an enormously low and colorful voice... really beautiful. Definitely a contender for that elusive "best" title.

One of those amazing voices that was kept from the world by the Iron Curtain.

[MademoiselleGore]

i have no words

he is great!

[gossiny]

Boris Christoff is an example for basso profondo and strong in the same time.

[gossiny]

Have you ever listen Boris Christoff also??

[sack36]

This man is as basso profundo as I am. ...and I'm female. I'll give him standard base, because he actually hit two or three notes I couldn't. That's being VERY generous. I sing second tenor. His voice is beautiful, mellow and worth listening to for those of us who enjoy the lower voices. He's just not profundo.

[judassab]

@Haus2288 It is most definitely training. Much like Brazilians are good footballers, while Venezuelans are not. Obviously those two countries have rich tradition and that makes possible young talent to want to follow down the same path, while at the same time being expertly trained by good teachers.

[basenjidiva]

Phenomenal! The most magnificent sound, the most extraordinary control, the most profoundly moving delivery! Beyond gold...

[JokerrWoW]

Slenderman



[elainebmack]

@Haus2288 I have noticed this phenomenon myself. In fact I would extend that list of countries to Finland, Bulgaria, and even Estonia. In short the Baltic and Slavic countries. I think there must be a rich, dark timbre that cultivated within these cultures. You will also hear that same dark, rich tone in African-American singers as well. Again, it seems that these cultures recognize and cultivate that sound.

[paulostroff99]

Sensational! TY MT for posting

[PureZOOKS]

he is fantastic, but the stuttering of the music is making me have some kind of "ear seizure"

[steadric]

@HoOkaHMaInUsEr wow that's cool