When the Russian art historian and critic Vladimir Stasov declared in 1867 ‘how much poetry, feeling, talent, and intelligence are possessed by the small but already mighty handful of Russian musicians’, the five nationalist composers to whom he referred adopted the nickname with pride. Though each developed his own personal style, they remained committed to forging a truly Russian musical tradition, not least through pieces such as these songs.

Russian bass Mikhail Svetlov is a winner of the Viotti International Competition and has been principal soloist of the legendary Bolshoy Theatre of Moscow for more than a decade.

Contents:
Modest Mussorgsky
Mephistopheles’ Song in Auerbach’s Cellar; A Society Tale: The Goat; Mischief; The Seminarist ; From Songs and Dances of Death; Lullaby; Serenade; Trepak; The Field Marshal

César Cui
The Statue at Tsarskoye Selo; Thou and You

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
The Prophet; In the Quiet of the Night; Upon the Georgian Hills; The rainy day has waned

Mily Balakirev
Barkarola; When I hear your voice; They keep calling me a fool; Hebrew Melody

Alexander Borodin
The Miraculous Garden; False Note ; From my tears; Song of the Dark Forest