WGBH Radio WGBH Radio theclassicalstation.org

Moussorgsky: Boris Godounov / Gergiev, Kirov Opera


Release Date: 01/12/1999 
Label:  Philips   Catalog #: 462230   Spars Code: DDD 
Composer:  Modest Mussorgsky
Performer:  Nikolai Putilin,  Evgeny Nikitin,  Liubov Sokolova,  Grigory Karasev,   ... 
Conductor:  Valery Gergiev
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Kirov Theater Orchestra,  Kirov Theater Chorus
Number of Discs: 5 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 5 Hours 6 Mins. 

CD not available: This title is currently only available as an MP3 download.  

Notes and Editorial Reviews

This set includes both the 1869 and 1872 versions.
For those aware of the Shakespearean dramatic scope and transcendent musical modernism of Modest Mussorgsky's historical opera 'Boris Godunov,' there can never be too much of it, even when it's boxed here as two complete versions: the 1869 opera in four parts, and the much longer 1872 opera in a prologue and four acts. All that's missing are Rimsky-Korsakov's two sets of orchestrations and embellishments of his friend's work. There's ample evidence here of Mussorgsky's own skill as an orchestrator, as well as his dynamic choral writing, probing sense of character, evocative love of Slavic folk and liturgical musics, and uncanny mastery of mood.
There are, of course, more of all Read more these elements in Mussorgsky's longer version, but the composer had cut a lovely song for the Tsar's daughter and some interesting interactions between Boris and the spooky, scheming Shuisky (wonderfully realized here by tenor Konstantin Pluzhnikov) which can be heard in this rare recording of the 1869 score. Valery Gergiev and the fine Kirov Opera make use of two different Borises. Vladimir Vaneev, in the 1872 version, is somewhat emotionally fuller, evoking the powerful Tsar's underlying and ultimately fatal guilt and fear. Read less

Works on This Recording

1. Boris Godunov by Modest Mussorgsky
Performer:  Nikolai Putilin (Bass), Evgeny Nikitin (Baritone), Liubov Sokolova (Mezzo Soprano),
Grigory Karasev (Bass), Yuri Laptev (Baritone), Andrei Karabanov (Tenor),
Yevgenia Gorokhovskaya (Mezzo Soprano), Nikolai Gassiev (Tenor), Fyodor Kuznetsov (Bass),
Evgeny Akimov (Tenor), Olga Trifonova (Soprano), Zlata Bylycheva (Mezzo Soprano),
Vassily Gerelo (Baritone), Konstantin Pluzhnikov (Tenor), Nikolai Ohotnikov (Bass),
Viktor Lutsiuk (Tenor)
Conductor:  Valery Gergiev
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Kirov Theater Orchestra,  Kirov Theater Chorus
Period: Romantic 
Written: Russia 
 Date of Recording: 11/1997 
Venue:  Van de Omroep Music Center, Hilversum 
Length: 126 Minutes 36 Secs. 
Language: Russian 
Notes: Ver: 1869 

Sound Samples

Boris Godounov / Part 1 - Picture 1: Well, what are you waiting for?
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 1 - Picture 1: For whom dost thou forsake us?
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 1 - Picture 1: People of the Orthodox faith
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 1 - Picture 1: Glory to thee, our Lord
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 1 - Picture 2: Long live Tsar Boris Feodorovich
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 1 - Picture 2: My soul is sad
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 1 - Picture 2: Glory! Glory! Glory!
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 2 - Picture 1: Just one more final tale
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 2 - Picture 1: Lord, our Heav'nly Father-That same dream again
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 2 - Picture 1: You have gone on writing
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 2 - Picture 1: Holy father, for a long time
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 2 - Picture 1: Boris, Boris!
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 2 - Picture 2: Can I bring you anything, reverent fathers?
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 2 - Picture 2: It all happened in the town of Kazan
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 1 - Picture 2: Why don't you join in the singing?
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 2 - Picture 2: There he goes-What sort of people are you?
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 2 - Picture 2: I can read
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 3: My dear husband
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 3: That's enough now, my precious tsarevitch
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 3: I have achieved supreme power
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 3: Yesterday evening, Pushkin's servant...
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 3: No! Wait, wait, Shuisky
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 3: It is not execution that I fear
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 4 - Picture 1: What? Is mass over?
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 4 - Picture 1: Trrr, trrr, tin that-The moon is on its travels
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 4 - Picture 1: What is he weeping about?
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 4 - Picture 2: Boyars of noble rank
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 4 - Picture 2: What? Let us vote, boyars
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 4 - Picture 2: It's a pity that Prince Shuisky isn't here
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 4 - Picture 2: Get away...get away!
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 4 - Picture 2: A humble monk
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 4 - Picture 2: Once, in a deep sleep
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 4 - Picture 2: Leave us! All of you, go!
Boris Godounov - Moussorgsky after Pushkin and Karamazin (Version 1869) - Part 4 - Picture 2: O Lord! Look down

Customer Reviews

Be the first to review this title
Review This Title
Review This Title Share on Facebook