Search - Red Star: Red Army Chorus and Dance Ensemble on DVD

Excellent presentation

ymns | puerto rico | 01/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was very pleased to see, yes, see, for the first time in my life, this magnificent chorus and dance ensemble. It is very well made and reflects the strengh of the records, for those of us who only have heard them through records. The dance sequences are beautifully choreographed, the best one is the sailors dance, superbly excecuted by the dancers. There are several solo balalaika songs and of course, there is the beautifull chorus, with their deep, strong, forcefull and vibrant voices, that make this chorus unique in the world. The selection of songs pertains mostly to russian and other ethnic group traditional songs as well as military songs all accompanied by a well trained young orchestra.
For those that are used to hearing the old records and the few cd's that have come out in the last 15 years, which are only a selection of the best of the emsemble throughout the years, you will notice that the chorus has thined out and a row of women singers has been added. It does not harm the integrity of the overall presentation, but what makes this chorus completely different is the powerfull male chorus, where bass and bariton singers are the stars. Most of the chorus singers are very young as well as two of the four male soloist. One of the old soloists you might recognize from the old ensemble, directed by Boris Alexandrov, Yevgeny Belyayev, sings several of his trade mark songs beautifully.
I wish and hope to see more of this ensemble in the future, as well as some day see the old chorus and band reproduced in a cd. You will not be disappointed with this production, considering the circumstances the country has had to overcome.
"

Faithful to Slavic Choral Gusto Tradition (!!!)

James Michael Scott | Nashville, TN United States | 07/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wonderful to have this magnificent set of performances captured on DVD, so I can finally show friends what this group was like. I attended their American Tour performance in 1992 at Centre College in the small Kentucky town of Danville, KY. I was so excited when I left the hall I literally went without sleep for the entire night! Brilliant choral singing. Their Encore was the finest choral production I have ever witnessed (and I am a cathedral chorister by training). They sang all of the verses of the Irving Berlin "God Bless America." Absolutely thrilling! One of the earliest Soviet Cosmonaut space travelers (in his late 60's at the time of the Tour) was one of the male soloists. I recall him bringing tears to the audience by saying, looking up towards the sky, that he had circled many times in space over the country of America. [That occurred when I was in the 6th grade.] And now, through the tour, he was able for the first time to meet Americans on their own soil, which he had embraced with his heart from the distance, in magical views from space. He sang as soloist an old Russian folk song telling of the importance of being around the warmth of the hearth, and home life. His comments and song were followed by the Irving Berlin masterpiece of composition--which I had never heard in live performance.

This is a DVD which really captures the sound, feeling, and bright-and-smiling Human quality of this exceptional group gathered together at that time for their USA Tour. However, one aspect that's not fully communicated in the DVD was the absolute mastery of their conductor. His understanding of balance, presentation, pacing, and 'revealment' in long phrases was a feat to behold!"

Just what I wanted!!!

Devin | Seattle, WA USA | 01/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When this performance aired on PBS in 1993, my dad taped it on VHS. His favorite song was "On the March" and mine was "Kalinka." We watched it over and over again until the tape quality was so compromised, we could barely even see the performers' faces. Eventually, we had to throw the tape away, as the sound quality was also starting to fade.

Last month, when I was shopping for Christmas presents for my folks, I stumbled across this DVD and bought it immediately, hoping that it would be at least somewhat similar to the concert we had seen a thousand times and loved so much. He was so excited to see what it was when he tore open the wrapping paper. We put it in the DVD player and, much to our surprise, it was the SAME SHOW we had enjoyed so immensely over a decade ago. It brought back the greatest memories. The show was just as impressive as we remembered it! It made a terriffic gift!"

Red Army Chorus and Dance Ensemble

Steven Bornstein | 05/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Absolutely amazing performance. If you have never had the chance to see the Red Army Chorus and Dance Ensemble in person this DVD is the next best thing to being there."