Before We Met

1. Almost Started to Believe You

2. Before We Met

3. Climb the Mountain

4. What Else Could I Do?

5. Heading Out for the Sea

6. Me and You

7. Distances

8. Standing in Your Way

9. Then You Find

10. Better Days

11. Sorry Now

Tracks:

In The Silence Of The Secret Night
How Pained I Am
Sing Not, O Lovely One
Arion
How Peaceful
Do Not Believe Me, Friend
Let Us Leave, My Sweet
Spring Torrents
A Dream
All Was Taken From Me
Daisies
I Am Again Alone!
Night Is Sorrowful
O, No, I Beg You, Do Not Leave!
Small Island
I Am Not A Prophet
Yesterday We Met
They Replied
Liliacs
I Was With her
Christ Is Risen!
It Cannot Be!
At My Window
What Happiness
At Night In My Garden
Fragment From A. Musset
All Passes

Customer Reviews:

Exquisite tenor singing and songs of incredible beauty.......2001-10-02

My acquaintance with Sergei Larin was made through his performances of Verdi, Puccini and verismo works. And I have always been impressed by his beauty of tone and phrasing. It was a nicest surprise to discover that he could offer performances of such level of artistry in the chamber repertoire. This disc alone raised my admiration of Larin, one of the best tenors on operatic stages these days.
First of all, these songs require broader performance most of the time. They are passionate quasi-operatic works with a most evocative and sometimes melancholic atmosphere. Larin pours his heart and soul in these pieces. His tone is honeyed throughout, powerful when it opens up, but he also produce the most extatic soft tones when required. The wide palette of tone colouring is quite helpful to differentiate each song from the others and his care with the text is so amazing that, even if you don't know the text or are not Russian-speaking (as I am not), you won't really miss it, so powerful is Larin's ability to create the right mood. If you have any doubt, you should try "In the Silence of the Secret Night" - a most delightful song.
Last but not least, Eleonora Bekova is the amazing pianist who not only shines in the sometimes virtuosistic piano playing preditably required by Rachmaninov, but also responds sensitively to Larin's singing throughout. A nice example of interplay between admirable musicians.

Sing, My Soul: Choral Music of Ned Rorem

Average customer rating:

Impeccably Performed, Stunning Sound

Sing, My Soul: Choral Music of Ned Rorem

Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000FDBJ
Release Date: 1998-11-24

Tracks:

'Thee, God..'
Seven Motets For The Church Year: 'While All Things Were In Quiet Silence'
Seven Motets For The Church Year: 'Before The Morning Star Begotten'
Seven Motets For The Church Year: 'Lay Up For Yourselves'
Seven Motets For The Church Year: 'Praise Him Who Was Crucified'
Seven Motets For The Church Year: 'God Is Gone Up'
Seven Motets For The Church Year: 'Today The Holy Spirit Appeared'
Seven Motets For The Church Year: 'Rejoice We All In The Lord'
'Phos Hilaron'
'Canticle Of The Lamb'
'Little Lamb, Who Made Thee?'
'Come, Pure Hearts, In Sweetest Measure'
'Mercy And Truth Are Met'
Love Alone: 'Here'
Little Prayers: Three Prayers: 'Creator Spirit, Who Dost Lightly Hover'
Little Prayers: Three Prayers: 'Father, Guide And Lead Me'
Little Prayers: Three Prayers: 'Creator Spirit, Please...'
What Is Pink?: 'What Is Pink?'
What Is Pink?: 'The Mysterious Cat'
What Is Pink?: 'Who Has Seen The Wind?'
What Is Pink?: 'A Pavane For The Nursery'
What Is Pink?: 'Counting-Out Rhyme'
What Is Pink?: 'The House On The Hill'
'All Glorious God'
'Breathe On Me, Breath Of God'
'Lead, Kindly Light'
'Love Divine, All Loves Excelling'
'Sing, My Soul, His Wondrous Love'
'Surge, Illuminare'

Customer Reviews:

Impeccably Performed, Stunning Sound.......1998-11-20

The beautifully captured reverberant sound of the acoustic space is matched by gorgeous choral balance, precise diction, and definitive interpretation. In spite of the contemporary style of the compositions - Rorem doesn't shy away from crunchy dissonances - this is a very enjoyable collection of Choral music with many beautfiul moments.

Average customer rating:

I've known him and his life and also mine that love Russian music so much.
An Overlooked Treasure
magnificent !
The Essential Dmitri CD
Wonderful and should be on the Essential List!

Russian Romances

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Moscow Nights
Dmitri Hvorostovsky - Songs and Dances of Death / Gergiev
I Met You, My Love
Kalinka: Russian Folk Songs
Dmitri Hvorostovsky: Portrait

ASIN: B00000413C
Release Date: 1991-05-10

Tracks:

(Snova, kak prezhde'e, adin), Op. 73 No. 6
(Salavej), Op. 60 No. 4
(Podvik), Op. 60 No. 11
(Rastvaril ja akno...), Op. 63 No. 2
Serenada Don Zhuana, Op. 38 No. 1
Son, Op. 8 No. 1
(Ana kak polden' harasha), Op 14 No. 9
(Ne poj, krasavitsa, pri mne), Op. 4 No. 4
(O, net, mal'u, ni uhadi!), Op. 4 No. 1
Primiren'je, Op. 25, No. 1
(Sieza drazhyt f tvajom rivnivam zvore), Op. 6 No. 4
(Net, tol'ka tot, kto znal), Op. 6 No. 6
Strashnaja minuta, Op. 28 No. 6
(Fchira my fstretilis'), Op. 26 No. 13
V malchan'ji nochi tajnay, Op. 4 No. 3
(Fs'o otn'al u min'a), Op. 26 No. 2
Atryvak iz A. Musset: (Shto tak usilenna), Op. 21 No. 6
(Hristos vaskres), Op. 26 No. 6

Customer Reviews:

I've known him and his life and also mine that love Russian music so much........2005-09-12

I am a mezzo-soprano singer and love Italian opera and German Lieder. But I haven't known how beautiful Russian Romances are. Maybe because many male low voice singers have just good voices but beautiful legato phrasing with the hottest heart as Dmitri Hvorostovsky sings on this CD.
His amazing earthquaking low tone and heavenly elegant high tone are based on his deep breathing of his own. His sweet but excellent expressions moved me and my life. I recognized these Romances are his foundation of whole his musical life. I felt his deep love to Russia and his family, and it impressed me as a Lieder singer.
It is a huge contribution to many foreigners including me got to love Russian music who haven't liked them before.

An Overlooked Treasure.......2004-08-05

Even major fans of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff may be unfamiliar with these works, but I think this CD perfectly captures what these artists sought to convey musically. The songs are mostly "torch songs" with text by major Russian poets. The piano and voice work together very well to build to "the point" of every work. The deep male voice we hear is just right for the material. After reading the text along with the music a few times, the listener can most fully appreciate this artwork, even if one may not philosophically enjoy the explicit message of the words, the music clearly delivers an artistic expression of intense longing.

magnificent !.......2000-06-19

This recording was my introduction to the glorious voice of this Siberian baritone, and it continues to overwhelm me with its passion and soul. These are mostly songs of love unrequited and love departed, sung with emotion and sensitivity by one of the most extraordinary singers of our generation. The simplicity and beauty of the solo piano accompaniment by Oleg Boshniakovich only adds to the power of this CD. It's a must for anyone who loves Russian music and appreciates Hvorostovsky's amazing talent.

The Essential Dmitri CD.......1999-08-25

The repertoire for Dmitri's second solo album was chosen with great care. The title "romances" can be somewhat misleading, though. This is not a collection of "touchy-feely" love songs. The lieder-style songs by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov deal with anguish, suffering, reflective melancholy and the kind of love that leaves a heart scarred and bleeding forever. One exception - the bravura of Don Juan, sung with gusto and thirst for life. These songs are dear to every educated Russian. Much like Schubert, who composed the lieder to the poetry of Goethe and Shakespeare, the Russian composers selected works by Pushkin, Pleschcheyev, Fyet, and others to communicate the intense emotions or dreamy reflections. The incredible "Christ is Risen", is written by D. Myeryezhkovsky, a man far ahead of his time, lamenting the irony of hearing the happy church hymns and praises set against the background of our brutal age. Everyone who has ever experienced utter loneliness, despair, melancholy mixed with expectations of a way out will be touched by these songs, that cross the language barriers and speak to the heart with the help of today's greatest baritone. You don't have to be a native speaker like me to appreciate them. Dmitri's voice never fails to explore the very core of the human soul. It can expand thunderously or soften to the sensuous pppp with perfect control and clarity. The high notes are triumphant and soaring with none of the coarseness that so many baritones have. The lower notes impress with their basso-like quality. His passion and intelligence are reminiscent of such great singers as Boris Christoff and Nicolai Ghiaurov, yet the range of the baritone allows for new, unusual, and welcome interpretations. He receives warm, thoughtful, and lively support from pianist Oleg Boshniakovich. Philips provides great sound and a nice booklet amiss any Cyrillic texts (which is thankfully corrected in their latest releases) and, alas, with a few minor spelling mistakes. The cover features, quite appropriately, Dmitri singing, looking out into the morning mist. Great artist and great achievement!

Wonderful and should be on the Essential List!.......1998-09-11

This is a wonderful collection of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff songs and is one of my favorites. Dmitri does the full-out dramatic songs as well as the folk-song-style songs (like "She is as fair as day"). All are well suited to his (bass/baritone) voice and artistry.

Tracks:

Before The Icon, Op.21, No.10
Yesterday We Met, Op.26, No.13
I Am No Prophet, Op.21, No.11
All Things Pass, Op.26, No.15
He Took All From Me, Op.26, No.2
It Is Time, Op.14, No.12
Brooding, Op.8, No.3
Let Us Rest, Op.26, No.3
In The Soul Of Each Of Us, Op.34, No.2
On The Death Of A Siskin, Op.21, No.8
Oh No, I Beg You, Do Not Leave, Op.4, No.1
A Dream, Op.8, No.5
By The Fresh Grave, Op.21, No.2
Fate, Op.21, No.1
Song Of The Disenchanted
Morning, Op.4, No.2
At The Gates Of The Holy Cloister
I Was With Her, Op.14, No.4
Christ Is Risen, Op.26, No.6
Fragment From A Musset, Op.21, No.6

Average customer rating:

Dan Israel - Critics' darling

Before We Met
Dan Israel & the Cultivators
Manufacturer: Hayden's Ferry
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000006C8J
Release Date: 1998-04-28

Tracks:

Almost Started to Believe You
Before We Met
Climb the Mountain
What Else Could I Do?
Heading Out for the Sea
Me and You
Distances
Standing in Your Way
Then You Find
Better Days
Sorry Now

Customer Reviews:

Dan Israel - Critics' darling.......2001-02-27

"Damn, what a record...in fact, perhaps the most suprising, and welcome, singer-songwriter find since Tim Easton's Special 20." - Dan Moser, No Depression magazine, March-April 2001

"At the moment, I can't recall a more honest recording...Dan Who? is a revelation not because it's about Israel's failings, but because it's about his feelings - a rare achievement in songwriting these days...Well, somebody buy a billboard, hire a blimp and give this guy his due already. His name is Dan Israel, one of the mad ones, one of the strugglers, and he just made the record of his life." - Jim Walsh, St. Paul Pioneer Press (St. Paul, MN), giving Dan Who? 4 out of 4 stars

"A quite stunning piece of work...Dan Who? is a work of art which deserves to be heard. Make sure you're one of the people who do." - Stuart Hamilton, Zeitgeist E-Zine (Scotland, UK)

"Dan Israel should be heard...he easily has the talent to be a big star...pay attention to him." - Steve Jacobetz, music-critic.com (Madison, Wisc.)

"Perhaps the finest singer-songwriter outing of the year...acoustic alt-country at its best...sheer lyrical brilliance." - Jason Smith, the Alt-Country Page e-zine (Buffalo, MN)

"Dan Who? has honestly left this writer (as it will just about any listener) hitting the "Repeat" button, if not begging for more. Israel gives off a great troubadour-like performance, and this CD shows off some great examples of the talent that he is as a songwriter." - Matt Merta, Great Lakes Twang review page (Michigan)

"Mr. Israel, you keep cranking out albums in this vein that are this good, and you're going to be single-handedly responsible for a rebirth of interest in folk music." - Christopher Thelen, dailyvault.com music review page (Illinois)

"I like the album (Dan Who?) a lot...there should always be room for a record with just a guy and a guitar singing intelligent melodic songs. Dan Israel has succeeded in that." - Warren Owen, Altcountrytab.com review page (UK)

"Dan Who? instantly crystallizes the heart of the Cultivators' appeal: well-crafted songs, smartly buffeted with hooks and showcased around high-calibre players. The clarity of Israel's vision, his insightful gift of observation, his wry sense of humour and the balance of optimism to melancholy lift this release above and beyond the typical, angst-ridden self-exorcism." - Eric Thom, Exclaim! Magazine (Toronto, Canada)

"(Israel) is one of the songwriters that is brillian in his own right but yet to be discovered. It is a true folk album as he is singing about his life and telling stories about good times and bad times. If you are a true fan of singer/songwriter material, you will love "Dan Who?"" - Dennis Scanland, Music Emissions e-zine (Alberta, Canada)

"Presented simply and without musical frills, Israel's songs demonstrate his talent for infectious melody and clever, concise lyrics delivered in a vocal style not unlike Tom Petty. The record is distinguished by its diversity." - Mike Aydelott, RoundSound music reviews e-zine (California)

"The whole record is absolutely stunning." - Tom Hallett, Pulse of the Twin Cities magazine (Minneapolis, MN)

Tracks:

At The Gates Of The Holy Cloister
Nothing Shall I Say To You
Song Of The Disenchanted
Do You Remember The Evening?
Were You Hiccoughing, Natasha?
O, No, I Beg You, Do Not Leave!, Op. 4 No. 1
Morning, Op. 4 No. 2
In The Silence Of The Secret Night, Op. 4 No. 3
Sing Not, O Lovely One, Op. 4 No. 4
My Child, Your Beauty is That Of A Flower, Op. 8 No. 2
Thoughts, Reflection, Op. 8 No. 3
I Was With Her , Op. 14 No. 4
You Are So Loved By All, Op. 14 No. 6
She Is As Beautiful As Midday, Op. 14 No. 9
Spring Torrents, Op. 14 No. 11
It Is Time, Op. 14 No. 12
Fate, Op. 21 No. 1
By A Fresh Grave, Op. 21 No. 2
Lilacs, Op. 21 No. 5
Before The Icon, Op. 21 No. 10
I Am No Prophet, Op. 21 No. 11
All Was Taken From Me, Op. 26 No. 2
We Shall Rest, Op. 26 No. 3
Christ Is Risen, Op. 26 No. 6
Yesterday We Met, Op. 26 No. 13
All Passes, Op. 26 No. 15
Letter To K.S. Stanislavsky
In The Soul Of Each Of Us, Op. 34 No. 6
The Raising Of Lazarus, Op. 34 No. 6
You Knew Him, Op. 34 No. 9
The Herald, Op. 34 No. 11
From The Gospel Of John

Rock Music:

Rock Music