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My friends, considering my heritage, frequently ask me about my suggestions regarding “Boris Godunov” and I decided to compile a little and highly opinioned (no surprised here!) “surviving guide” about this opera.

It is well-known and well-told story about the composition and numerous revisions of “Boris Godunov”. I personally have no problems with the original version or with the Rimsky-Korsakov alternations, however I violently oppose the Shostakovich’s version, which I found was unspeakable garbage. BTW, it is not well known but Rachmaninoff wrote on “Boris Godunov” but it was not his interpretation of the Mussorgsky but his own music. The Rachmaninoff’s “Boris” itself is on the very same libretto and it is VERY interesting but unfortunately I so love the Mussorgsky work that to it really shadows what Rachmaninoff’s did. If you are interested in the Rach’s “Boris” then search for Gusman with Bolshoi performance from 1964.

Now, about my biases. I’m not just like “Boris Godunov”. I sincerely consider Mussorgsky is a one of the most naturally gifted and talented composers ever lived. It is shame thaat he left so little music… (Please, do not confuse Mussorgsky’s music with the hoipolloi Revel’s sonic leisure).I feel that “Boris Godunov” is an absolute pinnacle of not only of Russian musicality or world mutuality but the entire Russian and humane culture. Some of the musical phrases and moments that exist in “Boris Godunov” (not to mention the stunning libretto of Pushkin - pretty much a godfather of Russian cultural and artistic language) set “Boris Godunov”, as I see it,  far apart from anything even was written and composed in dramatic music. Anyhow, considering my recommendations I would like you to understand that I paranoiacly admire this opera and I might speak Russian.
 
Here are some "Boris Godunovs" that you might consider, listed without any particular order:

1) Boris performed by Russian basso Chaliapin, who almost re-created this opera and whoever was done after Chaliapin just followed and in a way imitated him. Chaliapin did a number of recordings: Steinmann-Paris-1931, Steinmann -London-1931 (both with a Russian chorus), Semenov-Moskow-1910/1911, Coates-London-1925, Belleza-London-1928. All of them are slightly different in performance, intensity of drama and recording quality but all of them unquestionably worth attention. There is none of the recordings of the full opera with Chaliapin. (There` is only approximately 75% of all acts) and all that you might get would be 6-7 separate arias with Chaliapin doing Boris, Pimen and Varlam. Be advised that listening Chaliapin will be just great singing but it will be not the complete experience of "Boris Godunov” opera itself. For the entire opera you should look somewhere else… The recording media… All known to me issue of Chaliapin's Godunov on LP vary form a very poor do the unspeakable garbage. There are some transfers forms 78 to CD more or less successful, there is a guy in St, Petersburg who threatens to release a good transfer of Chaliapin's Boris but I did not hear the result yet. The best I ever heard was an old EMI release in 1987 in their serial “Great Recording of the Century”. This disc is long gone and it is quite a commodity now, good luck to find it. (CDH 7610092)

2) Golovanov conducting Bolshoi with Pirogov, Khanaiev, Mikhailov, Nelepp, Maksakova, Kruglikova, Koslovsky - 1949. This is a very high quality studio recording with magnificent Russian cast and with an extraordinal conductor on the podium. Everything in there is wonderful: from the stunning Koslovsky's performance of the Simpleton to the cantor-like psychedelic choruses. The same year Golovanov with the same cast and orchestra but with different leading basso (Mark Reizen instead Alexander Pirogov) performed "Boris Godunovs" live. This is also an interesting performance in many ways similar to the studio version. From a certain perspective (not from all perspectives) I like it even better… Media-wise, the Russian’s, even the late LP pressings from 70s of this work are fine (D05836-05843). The contemporary CD transfers (practically British or Russians) are OK as well.

3) Karajan conducting Vienna in 1971 with Vienna State Opera Chorus, Sofia Radio Chorus and with Dobranova, Markov, Heppe, Talvela, Maslenikov, Milijakovic, Vishnevska and with Ghiaurov as Boris. This is from many perspectives is an absolutely unique performance. Karajan generally sucks in Slave music, big time suck but here he did something absolutely spectacular. He conducted Mussorgsky in the way in which should be conducted Wagner only he added into "this Wagner” the Russki’s craziness and wildness. The result turned to be nothing less then phenomenal. Singers did very well as well and what is astonishing that many non-Russian singers did actually more interesting job then their native Russian colleges. The quality or recording is very high, perfect mixing and very tasteful and smart micing of singers, choruses and orchestra. It is available in London OSA 1439. The CD transfers it very fine as well.

4) Issay Dobrowen condacting Parish National with Choeurs Russes de Paris in 1952 with Christoff, Zareska,  Bielecki, Gedda, Borg…  Quite good performance with superb mono sound. I love what Dobrowen and his orchestra does. However the Choruses are sometimes totally off the wall… However, all together it is still quite good performance… (RCA LMHV6403)

5) Melik-Pashaev conducting Bolshoi with Russian cast and Chorus and Gorge London singing Boris. This is generally is not successful performance by suddenly Melik-Pashaev, totally out of blue, jumps with some VERY interesting “solutions”. Under normal circumstances I would not recomend this recording but it might be interesting for somebody who “cares”. (Columbia M4S 696)

6) Andre Cluyetens conducting Paris Conservatory and Sofia Notational Opera Chorus in 1963 with Alexieva, Lanigan, lear, Ouzounov and Boris Cristoff singing Boris, Pimen and Varlam. I would not specifically distinct this performance but Boris Cristoff does in here very good job (Angel 3633)

There are many other "Boris Godunovs". Among the honorable mentioned I would name slightly “soft” Claudio Abbado with Berlin Philharmonic in 1993, high-pressure but low potency Georgiev’s both performances of Mussorgsky and Rimsky versions, Georgiev’s soundtrack to the film, the Fedoseev’s  “sometimes strange” performance in 1981,  very good Nebolsin with Bolshoi, the “national performance” of Semkow’s in 1976 with… Polish orchestra, surprisingly pleasant Rostropovich with National Symphony and Raimondi in 1987, “ever-day’s” Kitaenko’s performance with Danish Radio, “lost but still more or less OK” Baranovich with Belgrade on Decca, Nikolai Berezovsky with Victor Symphony in 1945-46… If you are desperately wiling to get “Boris…”  in "your" languages then there is a version in Italian by Emil Cooper in 1946 and in German from 60s (do not remember by who).

Anyhow, I think my little run over “Borises…” is done. This would give you an OK start into the Mussorgsky’s musical rollercoaster. Ii's really worth it…

Rgs,
Romy the caT

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