Hyperion Records: CDA 67105: Russian Images
'There is no shortage of superb Russian singers right now, but Vassily Savenko is something rather special. Superb recital exploring a wide repertoire'
'Russian Song - from Glinka, Balakirev and Mussorgsky to Tchaikovsky, Medtner and Rachmaninov - by Vassily Savenko. This is a voice of great expressive eloquence and power, rich in sonority and depth'
Savenko can turn his firm, strong voice around these eloquently, and he responds vigorously and without caricature to such as that old Chaliapin stalwart, Mussorgsky’s ‘Song of the Flea’ ‘Alexander Blok, a strong and sympathetic pianist throughout’
Hyperion Records: CDA 67205: Russian Images 2
‘An equally excellent follow-up to the successful first disc. Vassily Savenko is a very special singer, his powerful voice commanding expression and nuance in the Western lieder tradition’.
‘This second disc by Vassily Savenko contains many unusual songs. (He) has sung throughout the recital with sympathetic treatment of the musical settings. Alexander Blok proves to be a pianist of sensitivity and dexterity. This disc is particularly valuable for the Arensky, Taneyev and Mosolov songs’ International Record Review
‘Vassily Savenko invests every one of these romances with passionate urgency’
Hyperion Records CDA 67274: English Poets, Russian Romances
English Poets/Russian Romances: ‘This interesting new issue features Russian translations of English poets. From Glinka to Kabalevsky, Vassily Savenko brings out its variety using all the colours of his rich bass-baritone’.
‘This recital of Russian songs from Ukrainian bass-baritone Vassily Savenko and Muscovite composer- pianist Alexander Blok is even more impressive than their two previous collections. Vassily Savenko’s singing blends intelligence with beauty of tone. The voice may be big and commanding, but it has both that inspiring lightness and the hint of further reserves of power’ The alert accompaniment from Alexander Blok provides astutely Judged pacing.
Nikolai Medtner
Boris Berezovsky, piano
Yana Ivanilova, soprano
Vassily Savenko, bass
Nikolai Medtner
Fairy tales for the piano
and Romances
Meridian Records CDE 84399: Mussorgsky & Rimsky-Korsakov songs
‘Savenko's smooth and attractive voice is well suited to this repertoire... Michael Dussek is an excellent accompanist’.
‘Vassily Savenko is a suave and accomplished singer…and his phrasing beautifully shaped’.
Dynamic (Italy) CDS430/1-3: Oprichnik - Tchaikovsky
Ukrainian bass-baritone Vassily Savenko combines a cavernous sound with the incisive diction and flair for drama that made him a compelling Iago for Gergiev at the Kirov opera..
Oprichnik: …The Cagliari Lyric Theater chorus and orchestra perform handsomely under master Tchaikovskian Gennady Rozhdestvensky's idiomatic conducting. …and bass Vassily Savenko makes for a suitably stern Zemchuznyj.
RD CD 00116:
Oh, The Mist Has Fallen
In this recording VASSILY SAVENKO wishes to reflect the rich folk culture of Russia and Ukraine close to his heart...
DDD 0017 Sacred Chants
Vassily Savenko & Boyan Ensemble of Kiev
A disc reflecting the grandeur of Orthodox Liturgy: Vassily Savenko is the inspiring soloist.
VI CD 1405
The Troika Bells
‘A beautiful collection of Old Russian Romances, both moving and uplifting - I love this disc’.