EMI Classics
2003
Mussorgsky: The Nursery: Sunless; Songs and Dances of Death
About This Album
This is the greatest disc of the greatest Russian songs by the greatest Russian singer ever released. Mussorgsky's songs are the most original, the most dramatic, the most profound, the most hilarious, and the most suicidal ever composed by a Russian. The great Russian bass Boris Christoff recorded all of them in 1958 with pianist Alexandre Labinsky, conductor Georges Tzipine, and L'Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise. His performances are commonly agreed to be the most soulful, the most passionate, the most expressive, the most beautiful, the most fearful, and the most sublime recording of the songs ever recorded. From the inspired innocence of The Nursery songs to the loneliness and despair of the Sunless cycle to the horror and dread of the Songs and Dances of Death to the bitter and terrible the Song of the Flea, Christoff's are the ideal interpretations of Mussorgsky's songs. Labinsky and Tzipine are sympathetic accompanists. EMI's early stereo sound is clean and honest and its 2003 digital re-mastering real and clear. Anyone who loves art songs will love this disc. ~ James Leonard, All Music Guide
Track List

Where Art Thou, Little Star? (Gde Tï, Zvezdochka?), Song For Voice & Piano
1.
Darling Savishna (Svetik Savishna), Song For Voice & Piano
2.
The Nursery (Detskaya; 7), Song Cycle For Voice & Piano, Edited By Rimsky-Korsakov
3.
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Work(s)
10.
Sunless (Bez Solntsa; 6), Song Cycle For Voice & Piano (or Orchestra)
11.
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16.
King Saul (King Saul), For Voice & Piano Or Orchestra, Orchestration By Glazunov
17.
Gopak (Hopak), Song For Voice & Piano
18.
The Wild Winds Blow (Duyut Vetrï), Song For Voice & Piano
19.
Songs & Dances Of Death (Pesni Y Plyaski Smerti; 4), Song Cycle For Voice & Orchestra, Orchestration By Glazunov & Rimsky-Korsakov
20.
21.
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23.
Mephistopheles' Song Of The Flea, For Voice & Piano Or Orchestra, Edited By Rimsky-Korsakov
24.