Episode 2

Synopsis

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Modest Mussorgsky.

Donald concentrates on the ultimate Russian opera, Boris Godunov, a disturbing and profoundly moving psychological study of a deeply troubled individual, set against the broad canvas of the miserable plight of the oppressed masses - all accompanied by arguably some of the most thrilling music ever written.

Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks (Pictures at an Exhibition)
Kazuhito Yamashita (guitar)
RCA RCD14203 Tr 5

Boris Godunov (1872 version) - Prologue, Sc 2 (Coronation Scene)
Shuisky ...... Konstantin Pluzhnikov
Boris Godunov ...... Vladimir Vaneev
Kirov Chorus and Orchestra, St Petersburg
Valery Borisov (chorus master)
Valery Gergiev (conductor)
Philips 462 230-2 CD 3 Trs 5-7

Boris Godunov (1872 version) - Act 3, Sc 1
Marina Mnishek ...... Olga Borodina
Rangoni ...... Evgeny Nikitin
Kirov Chorus and Orchestra, St Petersburg
Valery Borisov (chorus master)
Valery Gergiev (conductor)
Philips 462 230-2 CD 4 Trs 14-19

Boris Godunov (1872 version) - Act 4, Sc 1 (excerpt)
Shuisky ...... Konstantin Pluzhnikov
Boris Godunov ...... Vladimir Vaneev
Pimen ...... Nikokai Ohotnikov
Fyodor ...... Zlata Bulycheva
Kirov Chorus and Orchestra, St Petersburg
Valery Borisov (chorus master)
Valery Gergiev (conductor)
Philips 462 230-2 CD 5 Trs 3-8.

Tracklist

Timings are shown from the start of the programme in hours and minutes.

1. --:--

   Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky — Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks (Pictures at an Exhibition)

   Performer: Kazuhito Yamashita (guitar)

   RCA RCD14203, Tr 5
2. --:--

   Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky — Boris Godunov (1872 version) - Prologue, Sc 2 (Coronation Scene)

   Performer: Shuisky ...... Konstantin Pluzhnikov
   Performer: Boris Godunov ...... Vladimir Vaneev
   Performer: Kirov Chorus and Orchestra, St Petersburg
   Performer: Valery Borisov (chorus master)
   Performer: Valery Gergiev (conductor)

   Philips 462 230-2, CD 3 Trs 5-7
3. --:--

   Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky — Boris Godunov (1872 version) - Act 3, Sc 1

   Performer: Marina Mnishek ...... Olga Borodina
   Performer: Rangoni ...... Evgeny Nikitin
   Performer: Kirov Chorus and Orchestra, St Petersburg
   Performer: Valery Borisov (chorus master)
   Performer: Valery Gergiev (conductor)

   Philips 462 230-2 CD 4, Trs 14-19
4. --:--

   Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky — Boris Godunov (1872 version) - Act 4, Sc 1 (excerpt)

   Performer: Shuisky ...... Konstantin Pluzhnikov
   Performer: Boris Godunov ...... Vladimir Vaneev
   Performer: Pimen ...... Nikokai Ohotnikov
   Performer: Fyodor ...... Zlata Bulycheva
   Performer: Kirov Chorus and Orchestra, St Petersburg
   Performer: Valery Borisov (chorus master)
   Performer: Valery Gergiev (conductor)

   Philips 462 230-2, CD 5 Trs 3-8.

Broadcasts

1. Tue 27 Oct 2009
   12:00
   BBC Radio 3
2. Tue 27 Oct 2009
   22:00
   BBC Radio 3