Mussorgsky

[calyptorhynchus]

Just a Melodya CD of Mussorgsky Songs (Nesterenko singing) and was pretty peeed off to find there was no Russian/English texts for the songs.

The songs are

Songs and Dances of Death (4 songs)
Sunless (7 songs)
+ Song of the Flea, Lullaby for Eremushka, Gardden by the Don, Darling Savishna

Where can I find texts for these?

[mc ukrneal]

Just a Melodya CD of Mussorgsky Songs (Nesterenko singing) and was pretty peeed off to find there was no Russian/English texts for the songs.

The songs are

Songs and Dances of Death (4 songs)
Sunless (7 songs)
+ Song of the Flea, Lullaby for Eremushka, Gardden by the Don, Darling Savishna

Where can I find texts for these?

Songs and Dances of Death: http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/assemble_texts.html?SongCycleId=147 (choice of languages)
Sunless: http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/assemble_texts.html?SongCycleId=60 (i assume you meant six?)
Song of the Flea: http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=19204 (aka Mephistopheles' Song in Auerbach's Cellar)
Lullaby for Eremushka: http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=12038
Garden by the Don (Blooms): http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=9489
Darling Savishna: http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=11956

In general, you will find a list of Mussorgsky songs here: http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/m/musorgsky.html

A better alternative might be to check out sites that allow you to download booklets, like Hyperion. Check here: http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA66775&vw=dc for the bulk of them.

[PaulR]

Via spotify, I listened to the full Shostakovich orchestration of Khovanschina.  More specifically, with the Shostakovich ending.  Previously, I was only familiar with the Stravinsky final scene.  I still see the reasoning and logic of using the Stravinsky ending (It's also wonderful music to end the opera), but I really liked the Shostakovich ending.

What about other people?  Stravinsky, or Shostakovich?  or Rimsky-Korsakov?

[calyptorhynchus]

Boris Godunov has always been one of my favourite operas, now I'm listening to Khovanschina. Great of course, but one thing that occurs to me to say is that even if Mussorgsky hadn't written great music to go along with the libretto, he would still be a notable historical dramatist. The librettos to these two operas are streets ahead of most opera libretti. I saw an English translation of Pushkin's play Boris Godunov once, Mussorgsky much improved it!

[mc ukrneal]

Boris Godunov has always been one of my favourite operas, now I'm listening to Khovanschina. Great of course, but one thing that occurs to me to say is that even if Mussorgsky hadn't written great music to go along with the libretto, he would still be a notable historical dramatist. The librettos to these two operas are streets ahead of most opera libretti. I saw an English translation of Pushkin's play Boris Godunov once, Mussorgsky much improved it!

Hmmm. Pushkin, in Russian, is generally regarded as the pinacle of writing. I have to guess that perhaps it is also a translation issue. That said, libretti do tend to distill the action down and eliminate extraneous things. This can have a positive effect (especially if you feel the original is longwinded). Although, it is not exactly as straight-forward as that. Mussorgsky adapted the opera in his revised version using some scenes from one of Karamzin's works, and they were his own additions. It is the revised version we generally hear today (interestingly, the original was rejected because it did not have a female lead/enough female scenes). Thus, in the end, they are not exactly the same, but I have to agree to that it works pretty well (though there were also several revisions/alterations, notable Rimsky-Korsakov, and it was this version that was often performed in Russia for a long time after the revised original had been restored in other places). This opera has a particularly rich history, both in terms of composition and the plot.

[PaulR]

Boris Godunov has always been one of my favourite operas, now I'm listening to Khovanschina. Great of course, but one thing that occurs to me to say is that even if Mussorgsky hadn't written great music to go along with the libretto, he would still be a notable historical dramatist. The librettos to these two operas are streets ahead of most opera libretti. I saw an English translation of Pushkin's play Boris Godunov once, Mussorgsky much improved it!

Curious.....what version of Khovanshchina are you listening to?

[Mirror Image]

This is a scorching performance of Khovanshchina:

[asin]B00000E4HS[/asin]

It's the only recording I own of the opera, but I never felt the need to buy another. Abbado is a master of Mussorgsky's music.

[PaulR]

This is a scorching performance of Khovanshchina:

[asin]B00000E4HS[/asin]

It's the only recording I own of the opera, but I never felt the need to buy another. Abbado is a master of Mussorgsky's music.

If you ever want to hear the full Shostakovich orchestration, check out: [asin]B005G4YDTE[/asin]

But I agree, that CD is wonderful.  As is the DVD production.

[Mirror Image]

If you ever want to hear the full Shostakovich orchestration, check out: [asin]B005G4YDTE[/asin]

But I agree, that CD is wonderful.  As is the DVD production.

Cool, Paul. I'll try and track down an original of the Gergiev.

[calyptorhynchus]

Yep, I'm listening to the Gergiev, got interrupted though, will have to start at the beginning again.

[calyptorhynchus]

Going through Mussorgsky at the moment.

Which completion of The Fair at Sorochyntsi is the most satisfactory musically?

And which is the recommended recording of this version?

[rigormortis]

As a song I like the Songs & Dances of Death from Yi-Kwei Sze as Bass together with Brooks Smith on the piano, sometimes it shivers in your spine 
The Pictures are nearly always nice on the Piano, I think

[Leo K.]

Wow, where has this been all my life, how did I miss this recording!

[asin]B000002S0Q[/asin]

Boris Christoff is amazing. The perfect Mussorgsky bass! 

[Mirror Image]

Leo K., do you own this recording?



If not, then BUY IT NOW!!! My favorite Mussorgsky recording bar none. Completely sublime from start to finish.

[Leo K.]

Leo K., do you own this recording?



If not, then BUY IT NOW!!! My favorite Mussorgsky recording bar none. Completely sublime from start to finish.

I do not, but this looks like my cup of tea! Thanks for the heads up!!!

Another new recording (for me) is Abbado's Khovanschina and it is amazing! Listening to it now actually.

[Mirror Image]

I do not, but this looks like my cup of tea! Thanks for the heads up!!!

Another new recording (for me) is Abbado's Khovanschina and it is amazing! Listening to it now actually.

Yes, you will enjoy this recording. I hope you can find a copy for a good price. Last time I checked it was out-of-print. Yes, Abbado's Khovanschina is outstanding. A great performance.

[snyprrr]

Leo K., do you own this recording?



If not, then BUY IT NOW!!! My favorite Mussorgsky recording bar none. Completely sublime from start to finish.

i was just going to ask about that. yea, that's the i need to get...

[mc ukrneal]

Wow, where has this been all my life, how did I miss this recording!

[asin]B000002S0Q[/asin]

Boris Christoff is amazing. The perfect Mussorgsky bass! 

It's a great set, no doubt. There is a set with him performing other Russian greats - very good too.

[PaulR]

Yes, you will enjoy this recording. I hope you can find a copy for a good price. Last time I checked it was out-of-print. Yes, Abbado's Khovanschina is outstanding. A great performance.

the dvd is great, too.

[Mirror Image]

the dvd is great, too.

I'll check it out, Paul. How have you been doing? Listening to anything new? Made any new musical discoveries?