Russian Folk Songs (2CD)
"Russian folk culture is one the richest I know. In recent years, some of it lighter aspects have been commandeered by the entertainment and tourist industries: with this recording I wanted to go backwards and present songs I have so often heard - but never sung myself - in a direct and unvarnished, yet classical way. The songs I selected [for CD 1] I feel are truly Russian - many are melancholy, most are bittersweet, with the kind of mocking irony which counterbalances sentimentality. Two, I decided to sing alone, in honour of Chaliapin but in my own way. For the rest of this program I was privileged to work with the magnificent Ossipov Russian Folk Orchestra who live and breathe this music. They made me feel a welcome guest in repertoire far from my operatic home but very close to my heart." - Dmitri Hvorostovsky