Description

ГЕОРГИЙ ВИНОГРАДОВ. Старинные романсы / GEORGIY VINOGRADOV. Old Romances / LP

33Д 033855-56(8)

Product Details

Label: МЕЛОДИЯ
33Д 033855-56(8)
Made in the USSR

Overview

Before writing about the impressions this record evokes, I would like to briefly touch upon some stages of Georgiy Pavlovich Vinogradov’s creative journey.
Following the various paths of his life, one inevitably comes to the conclusion that talent and ability eventually lead a person to their main goal, even if they may not be sure of what this goal is at first.
Georgiy Pavlovich studied at the East Music Technical School in Kazan, focusing on violin and viola, and at the same time was involved in an amateur group. Despite not receiving formal music education, his "university" was the All-Union Radio. His creative calling was firmly shaped in 1937, when he won the title of laureate at the All-Union Vocalists' Competition. His work on the Radio was crucial for the development of his artistry. It was there that he met the famous teacher M. L. Lvov, whose mentorship became central to his vocal growth.
During World War II, Vinogradov served at the front and, in 1943, became a soloist with the Red Banner Song and Dance Ensemble.
I personally witnessed his work on the Radio as a soloist of the vocal group, and we performed together in numerous opera productions, including Mozart's Don Giovanni, Thomas's Mignon, Ippolitov-Ivanov's Asya, and Rachmaninoff's Francesca da Rimini.
Georgiy Pavlovich's chamber repertoire was extensive, including both Western classical and Russian romances, as well as Soviet lyrical songs.

This record presents old Russian romances performed by Vinogradov, accompanied by piano and guitar.
Initially, I felt a sense of disappointment that the program did not include classic Russian romances that he performed so beautifully. But my concerns were unnecessary. As I listened, I found myself no longer analyzing the performance critically, as is often the case when hearing a recording. Instead, I was enchanted by his voice’s unique timbre. Familiar, sometimes even clichéd melodies of some romances unexpectedly stirred emotions in my soul...
I was reminded of the brilliant lines by Ivan Turgenev in his story The Singers. I cannot resist quoting them:
“…he sang, and all of us felt a sweet sensation, mixed with awe. I confess, I have rarely heard such a voice. In it was genuine passion, youth, strength, and sweetness, with a kind of engaging, carefree sorrow. The Russian soul, honest and passionate, echoed in his voice, tugging at the Russian heartstrings… He sang, and each note of his voice carried something familiar and vast, like the endless steppe before you, reaching far into the distance. I felt my heart stir and tears fill my eyes…”
– N. P. Rozhdestvenskaya