The Rachmaninov's romance

[Sarastro]

Only recently I discovered Rachmaninov's enchanting romances. The search found no results, therefore here I am starting a new topic. Anyone who likes is very welcome.

My favorite so far is "Здесь хорошо" (It's wonderful here), with its magnificent blending of words and music, can't help myself listening to it.

Здесь хорошо...
Взгляни, вдали
Огнем горит река;
Цветным ковром луга легли,
Белеют облака.

Здесь нет людей...
Здесь тишина...
Здесь только Бог да я,
Цветы, да старая сосна,
Да ты, мечта моя!

I found an awkward translation...there are better metaphors in English.

It's pleasant here...
Look how in the distance
The river gleams like fire;
The meadows lie cloaked in a floral blanket,
The clouds whiten.

Here there are no people...
Here there is quietness...
Here there is only God and I,
Flowers, and the old pine tree,
And you, o dream of mine!

Surprisingly enough, I like Sarah Brightman - she sounds so effortless and confident...although the diction is funny, she sings "Flowers, I am an old pine tree" and "Here there is only pain and I" Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTKKrBZwsRk

[Wendell_E]

Brightman actually is an old pine tree.   

[zamyrabyrd]

Brightman doesn't sound authentic at all, but this is definitely the REAL THING:

Dmitri Hvorostovsky sings the romance Spring Waters by Sergei Rachmaninov.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbuV3pBbE4Y

I like the way he smiles, with his eyes, too. And the pianist is excellent. For back up, I have Guryakova with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, simply brilliant conducted by Orbellian.

[Sarastro]

Brightman actually is an old pine tree.   

Moreover, she sings as if addressing to the flowers: "Listen, flowers, I am an old pine tree."  But me and my friend still consider it a well-done rendition, very natural. I am not a fan of Brightman at all.

[Tsaraslondon]

Only recently I discovered Rachmaninov's enchanting romances. The search found no results, therefore here I am starting a new topic. Anyone who likes is very welcome.

My favorite so far is "Здесь хорошо" (It's wonderful here), with its magnificent blending of words and music, can't help myself listening to it.

If you love this song, then you must hear Nicolai Gedda's wonderful studio version, with Gerald Moore at the piano, with its glorious, poised pianissimo top B. I also have him singing this live at a Salzburg Recital, but, there he sings the note mf rather than ppp.

It's available on this 2 disc set.



I also have Elisabeth Soderstom's collection of the complete songs, accompanied by Ashkenazy. I'm not sure if the set is still available, but it's well worth seeking out.

[Sarastro]

If you love this song, then you must hear Nicolai Gedda's wonderful studio version, with Gerald Moore at the piano, with its glorious, poised pianissimo top B.

I have this Gedda's set; he is one of my favorite singers. Thank you for reminding, I listened to it more than two years ago and partly forgot the content.

And thanks for the Soderstom's set recommendation. It is on Amazon, but the price is... $ 98.99. Hopefully, it's there in several years.