Sviridov: Russia Cast Adrift

Featuring

Constantine Orbelian
Dmitri Hvorostovsky
St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra
Style of Five Ensemble
Georgy Vasil'yevich Sviridov

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Sviridov, whose songs often expressed spiritual independence and inner resistance to Soviet officialdom, identified with the tragic and rebellious poet Sergei Yesenin, whose verses are set in "Russia Cast Adrift."

Composer Biography

Georgy Sviridov, the composer, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, the baritone, became friends after their first meeting in 1994, and Sviridov later wrote "Petersburg" for Hvorostovsky.

Composition History

This album features the world premiere of an orchestral version of Georgy Sviridov's "Russia Cast Adrift," arranged by Evgeny Stetsyuk, which fulfills the composer's unfulfilled wish.

Interpretation

Dmitri Hvorostovsky describes working on Sviridov's music as an important educational experience, demanding the deepest emotional involvement and causing strong, dramatic inner conflicts.

Performer Biography

Dmitri Hvorostovsky, the baritone on this recording, was born and studied in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, and became the first opera singer to give a solo concert with orchestra and chorus on Red Square in Moscow.

Recording & Production

This recording was made in St. Petersburg, Russia, at the House of Radio, from July 15-20, 2016.

Instruments

The Style of Five ensemble, featured on this album, uniquely combines traditional Russian folk instruments like gusli, domra, bayan, double-bass, and balalaika with electronic keyboards.