Bringing them all to life is Hvorostovsky's performance - passionate, brooding or forceful with Pushkin's flowing lines, in a manner which might be a bit overpowering in less emotional music, but is exactly right for these songs...His word-sense and diction remain exemplary...Ivari Ilja is an equally spirited accompanist.

...his demonstration of finely controlled legato and evenness of tone through the registers is truly impressive.

...there's a particularly Russian ecstasy and agony in Pushkin's lyrical poetry that requires a broad musical brush to do it proper justice. This seems bred in the artistic bone for Hvorostovsky, so there's an almost conversation style...Despite his formidable horsepower [he] can be silky and subtle when required...evidently a singer for all Russian seasons!