Boris Godounov (1869 & 1872 Versions)

When Moskvich (see below) talks about this not being complete- he must be referring to the Coronation Scene. When Rimsky-Korsakov orchestrated Boris one of the things he did was expand the Coronation Scene- which is wrong because you are not getting what Moussorgsky intended but what his good friend chose to put in.

Both versions here are complete as the way Moussorgsky wrote them and intended them to be. They are better off in this state. Would you want to hear a Mozart opera that was reorchestrated by another composer? Absolutely not! The same applies here.

Also- in my previous review I had accidentally said "Abbado's" recording when I was referring to Karajan's recording on DECCA with the Vienna Philharmonic. I rate this PHILIPS recording first, followed by Karajan's, then Abbado's.

When Moskvich (see below) talks about this not being complete- he must be referring to the Coronation Scene. When Rimsky-Korsakov orchestrated Boris one of the things he did was expand the Coronation Scene- which is wrong because you are not getting what Moussorgsky intended but what his good friend chose to put in.

Both versions here are complete as the way Moussorgsky wrote them and intended them to be. They are better off in this state. Would you want to hear a Mozart opera that was reorchestrated by another composer? Absolutely not! The same applies here.

I don't know where the previous reviewer got his information- but BOTH versions here are COMPLETE. I know the opera well and there is nothing missing here from the second version... and the first version is also complete- it is what Moussorgsky had completed by 1869.

These are complete as MOUSSORGSKY wrote them- not the versions with other composers orchestrations (namely Rimsky-Korsakov). Like Khovanschina- Rimsky-Korsakov's version of Boris ruins the opera. These versions are how Moussorgsky invisioned this masterpiece- and that's whose vision should be most important. The only liberty I allow is the KHOVANSCHINA with orchestrations by Shostakovich because he stayed close to what he believed Moussorgsky wanted- Rimsky-Korsakov did what he thought was right.

The Kirov Opera recordings by Philips are magnificant- and Boris fits nicely into place. Great vocals (by real RUSSIANS), great orchestra, and great conducting. The only recording that marvels this one is Abbado's but unfortunately it's the Rimsky-Korsakov version. I have both recordings and give Abbado's the orchestral edge due to the Vienna Philharmonic's presence, but Gergiev's version (and conducting) suceeds all else on the Abbado version. Both are commendable but seeing that you get two complete versions for the price of one with this set- your search should end here.

The first version is very cool to hear as it is hardly ever recorded. The St. Basil's scene is WONDERFUL and is quite possibly my favorite scene of both versions of Boris. This scene alone is worth hearing the first version... It's tighter and meaner than the second version - as Putilin's Boris interpretation shows. He is more fierce than Vaneev, which makes sense- because initially in the first version Boris was not made into a somewhat victim that Moussorgsky made him into in the second version.

I could ramble all day but this recording is simply, overall the best recordings I have heard of this- one of my most beloved operas. Boris is the one great Russian masterpiece....this allows you a glimpse into Moussorgsky's creation of love.

Thinking of buying it = do so. You can't beat getting FIVE HOURS of great and grand Russian music.

Even if both versions are not complete, it is still worth to purchase it for Mussorgskiy's music. Gergiev clearly knows what to do but his tempos are somewhat strange. In the first version only Nikolay Putilin and Konstantin Pluzhnikov. All other singers seem to sing their music without much pleasure or knowledge. In the second version Alexashkin has a Varlaam voice and his Boris is lamentable. Galusin is fine, Borodina is not seductive enogh for Marina, but the Rangoni of Nikitin is fine. Among the smaller roles Vasiliy Gerello is a very good Schelkalov. The chorus is far from the classic Bolshoi sound.

What a great idea it was to include both versions of Boris, for that alone this recording is a must. The performance itself is very good, though I have to admit I prefer Abbado's recording on SONY for the extra drama and a finer Boris in Anatoly Kotcherga. Still this (or these) set has to be had!