Kovcheg - Song of the Volga Boatmen

Oktavist Pavel Myakotin ends on a resounding G#1.

[PrincessGold]

As a child, in Australia, I learned to play this on the piano. The translation began "Yo-o- heave -ho...Yo-o-heave-ho"...It tells the story of the Volga boatmen who had to haul their boats over land between stretches of watervand the Volga River. They used just manpower. There was not 1 continuous water route between St Petersburg and Moscow as there is now. It starts softly as you hear the boatmen singing to help them haul the boat, bending under the weight on the ropes. It grows in volume till the boatmen come into the 'presence of the viewer', then reduces in volume as the boatmen methodically trudge and heave their boat further and further away, hearing the Yo-o-heave-ho drifting off into the distance. It was magnificent to play, and as an 8 yr old it was wonderful to get that changing of volume just right. I always saw those boatmen and their hard life in my head. Later I had the sheer joy of standing in this room, listening to this vocal group in concert, ending with The Volga Boatmen. They were extraordinary. A Bucket List experience.

[livedandletdie]

Pavel: Let me sing so low that you think it's the horn of a cargo ship, 50km away.

[frednerk]

We were taught this song, in English, at our primary school in Scotland back in the 1940's. We loved it. When I left school, I went to Australia but never lost the urge to see the mighty Volga. I had to wait nearly 50 years but finally made it and rushed down the bank to dip my hands in its waters. Once I was back on the bus I explained why I had held them up for a few minutes and sang the song in English to the Russians on board. They had not realised that the song about "their" river was known so well outside Russia.


This rendition was glorious. I have put it in my "save" file.

[kwpp]

Everyone is enthralled with the oktavist but that tenor is breathtakingly beautiful.

[ph]

I have heard this ensemble twice, in this very room. They are simply amazing. Their intonation and dynamics and just perfect. The bass is Pavel Myatokin, who has the most impressive, powerful, and clear low notes.

[jeanetteyork]

Full throated, full of masculine beauty....historically thrilling, marvelous, superb performance...🌹

[courtney]

The fact that he can sing such a low now with that much volume is amazing.

[pamcunningham]

Russian choirs just give me chills up and down my spine, doesn't matter that I can't understand a word of what they're singing. Amazing!!

[harpyspeaks]

I come back and listen to this every so often and I wish I knew why but it makes me sob uncontrollably. Like I go from normal to sobbing in about 15 seconds and I have no idea why. But this folk song rips through me every time. I know the meaning of catharsis because of this video

[jamescoughlin]

Fantastic! The bass profundity is extraordinary. Harmony is truly magnificent.

[TurboPutin]

I am German and I absolutely love this. So much respect to all our Russian friends.

[k.c.lejeune]

Let's not only give credit to Pavel but to all the singers, they ALL did an equally fantastic job.

[walteranthony]

Wow when the tenor comes in the second time with a high note 🎵.
Damn Goosebumps

[effortlessproductions]

Spectacular tenors as well as spine chilling oktavists. Well done Kovcheg!

[elliotportner]

This choir is doing a great job with the famous tune and bringing high meaning feeling and depth involved to lead to fine wonderful performance

[gliuto]

a thousand times I listen to this song, a thousand times I get the goosebumps and a knot in my throat, no matter which version is it. Amazing.

[LeeReed]

'Girls speak in a higher pitch when talking to someone they like'
Every girl I talk to: 3:30

[laurabentley]

The memorable tune of The Song of the Volga Boatmen has led to its common usage in many musical situations, particularly as background music, often with the theme of unremitting toil (or, alternatively, devotion to duty).

[Cloroxbleach-xost]

I'm American and listening to this makes me proud to be Russian

[phshk]

Imagine being Russian and growing up immersed in all of this .. nothing cant describe what it's like . "I am Russian!!! What a amazing delight!!!" Said great military leader of all times Suvorov