Alexander Serov (1821-71) is a name unfamiliar to all but the most dedicated Russian classical music officianados. Apart from the ‘Mighty Handful’ – Balakirev, Borodin, Cui, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov from St Petersburg, and Tchaikovsky in Moscow, several composers can lay claim to inheriting Russian romantic tradition as established by Glinka. Composers such as Dargomisky, L’vov and Serov in particular.
Serov, like Rimsky (Navy), and Borodin (Chemist) did not start out to be a composer . He was a civil servant, and studied music via lessons he received from Josef Hunke via the post! His opera Judith was an instant success, counting the young Tchaikovsky among its fans. His second opera Rogneda gained the composer a royal pension. Sadly his creative powers degenerated after these two works, and a string of tantalising but unfinished projects followed. He died aged 51 of heart failure.
His two complete operas exerted their influence over Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Anton Rubinstein and the young Glazunov.
His music shows his appreciation of Wagner’s leitmotifs (though he lacked the experience to use such a technique effectively), and the form of operas by Verdi and Meyerbeer.
Other information:
- Recorded in 1991: this remains the only recording available of this unusual repertoire.
- An important work in the development of Russian opera written in the 1860-ties in a true romantic dramatic style foreboding the operas of Mussorgsky and Tchaikovsky.
- All Russian cast supported by the great Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra.
- A veritable find for opera lovers and connoiseurs.
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: “Overture (Orchestra)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 1 – “Scene and Arioso: Our sufferings are endless… Cease these blaspheming complaints! (Ozias/Charmis/Eliachim)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 1 – “Chorus of the People: Our sufferings and our anguish grow worse (Chorus/Ozias)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 1 – “What is that? Do you hear? (Chorus/Hebrew Warriors/Ozias/Charmis/Eliachim/Achior)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 1 – “Finale: God of Israel, save thy servants (All)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 2 – “Judith’s Monologue: The town will thus be delivered (Judith)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 2 – “These are our last drops of water (Avra/Judith)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 2 – “The Elders are coming (Avra/Ozias/Charmis/Judith)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 2 – “Judith, I implore you (Avra/Judith)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 2 – “Interlude: The March of Holofernes (Orchestra)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 3 – “Chorus of Odalisques and Dances: Upon the River Euphrates (First Odalisque/Chorus/Second Odalisque)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 3 – “Out of my sight (Holofernes/Asfaneses)”
Disk 2
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 3 – “Chorus of Assyrians: What is happening in the camp… A Jewess of a beauty never seen before (Bagoas/Chorus)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 3 – “Behold, Holofernes has heard the news (Bagoas/Chorus/Holofernes/Judith/Avra/Asfaneses)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 3 – “Final Chorus: There is no power on earth equal to ours (Chorus)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 4 – “Prelude…Bacchanalian Dance of the Odalisques”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 4 – “Dance of Two Almahs (Orchestra)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 4 – “Festive Chorus. Orgy of Holofernes: Fill the cups with wine (Chorus/Holofernes/Bagoas)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 4 – “Hindu Song: I love you, shining moon (Bagoas)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 4 – “Holofernes’s Song of Battle: These songs about women (Holofernes/Bagoas/Asfaneses/Chorus)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 4 – “Judith, approach (Holofernes/Judith/Avra/Bagoas/Chorus)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 4 – “Finale: But where are you, Jewess? (Holofernes/Judith/Bagoas/Avra)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 5 – “Chorus of the Starving: If God has abandoned us (Chorus/Achior/Ozias/High Priest/Judith/Charmis)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 5 – “Here is the head of Holofernes (Judith/Achior/Chorus/Priest/Ozias)”
Alexander Nikolayevich Serov: Judith: Act 5 – “Final Chorus: We have conquered (Chorus/Judith)”
