Search - Ernst Busch :: Roter Oktober

Brilliant collection of songs

Eric Boxtel | Providence, RI USA | 03/13/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Roter Oktober" is a collection consisting of Russian folk, revolutionary, and socialist realist songs sung in German by the popular stage singer Ernst Busch. Also included are a few songs by Hanns Eisler such as "Der Heimliche Aufmarsch" (The Secret Deployment).



Ernst Busch was a man of exceptional talent. He created a distinct style of singing characterized by incisive declamatory quality, energy, and an oratorical expressiveness. The most remarkable characteristic of Ernst Busch was his credibility; he went through much of what he sings about. A veteran of the National Revolutionary War of 1936-39 in Spain, Busch languished in fascist concentration camps from 1943 to 1945. The booming voice of Busch and the passion of his performances make these recordings special.



This collection of songs is characterized by democratism, humanism, civic-mindedness, and truth to life. These songs are guided by the aesthetic principles of socialist realism: revolutionary spirit, close ties with the people, and internationalism. These songs condemn the capitalist yoke ("Tortured in Prison"), uphold the revolutionary struggle ("Bravely, Comrades, in Step"), affirm internationalist solidarity ("Thank You, Soviet Soldiers") and communicate love to Russia ("Song of the Motherland")."