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Track(s) taken from CDA67274

Yevreyskaya melodiya 'Hebrew melody'

composer
Mili Balakirev (1837-1910)
1859
author of text
George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788-1824)
My soul is dark
translator of text
Mikhail Lermontov (1814-1841)

Vassily Savenko (bass), Alexander Blok (piano)
Recording details: September 2000
Studio 1, The State House of Broadcasting and Audio-Recording, Moscow, Russia
Produced by Alexander Volkov
Engineered by Alexander Volkov
Release date: September 2001
Total duration: 1 minutes 53 seconds
 

Reviews

‘Russian composers have set many English poems to music, and here we have some of the best’ (Classic FM Magazine)

‘Even more impressive than their two previous collections … a CD that merits a very strong recommendation’ (Fanfare, USA)
Byron's collection of poems, Hebrew Melodies, enjoyed enormous popularity in their day and inspired many artists, writers and composers throughout Europe. Mikhail Lermontov's translation of My soul is dark, is used by Mily Balakirev (1837-1910) in his 1859 setting known as Hebrew Melody. With its sinuous, oriental-style harmonies, it is a masterpiece by a man who was the leader of the group of nationalist composers known as 'The Mighty Handful'. The virtuoso accompaniment of the second version, as recorded here, imitating the sound of a harp, contrasts with the passionate vocal line.

from notes by Edward Morgan © 2001

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