Top 10 Dimash Qudaibergen Vocal Performances

#10: “SOS d’un Terrien en Détresse” (1978)

Dimash’s cover of Daniel Balavoine’s classic song from the rock opera “Starmania” on “Singer” is legendary. It is widely recognized as the song that turns any listener into a Dimash fan, and for good reason, too. He sings the French song phonetically, while employing a range of voices, going from chest voice to a mixed voice, and, of course, his characteristic whistle register. He floats through the octaves, seemingly going from B2 to E6 with flawless vocal control. What makes this performance truly stand out is how Dimash never allows the technicality to take away from the emotional core of the song. Even if you don’t know the lyrics, his delivery ensures the sentiment doesn’t escape you. Now, that’s talent.

#9: “Unforgettable Day” (2015)

This self-composed track is a testament to Dimash’s storytelling prowess. An ode to the beloved, “Unforgettable Day” is rich with delicate emotion and unrestrained passion. The former finds expression through the soft, confessional moments at the beginning, where each word is uttered with reverence. The latter is unleashed through powerful belting and the highest of notes. According to experts, Dimash reached an astonishing D8 note during his performance of the song at the “Sound of Gakku” concert in 2017, and he hit the note with vibrato. Keep in mind, this was a live performance with thousands of fans in the crowd, whom he interacted with throughout the song while nailing those incredible notes. Clearly, Dimash knows how to put on a show.

#8: “Love Is like a Dream” (1995)

Dimash has a way of putting his audience in a trance with his music. This was exactly the effect he had when he performed Russian songbird Alla Pugacheva’s “Love Is like a Dream” during a concert in Moscow. Joined by none other than composer Igor Krutoy on the piano, Dimash pours his soul into his tribute for Alla. Through his voice alone, he conjures the image of eternal love. The gentle, breathy tone he maintains through most of the performance conveys tenderness and fragility. His chest voice comes in while expressing overwhelming devotion before he switches to his head voice for the falsetto. Dimash concludes with a cathartic belt, and you can finally let go of the breath you didn’t even know you were holding.

#7: “Ti Amo Cosi” (2021)

This song brings together powerhouses Dimash, Lara Fabian, and Aida Garifullina. So, you can sit back, forget about analyzing technique, and simply indulge in the masterpiece they’ve created. Igor Krutoy’s composition is brought to life with panache by the trio, compelling us to become invested in the story unfolding through the lyrics. The singers, each boasting a unique vocal style and timbre, have impeccable chemistry with each other. Somehow they manage to top themselves when all three finally sing together in perfect harmony. This song will give you goosebumps.

#6: “The Pearl Fishers' Duet” (1863)

Dimash realized a childhood dream when he took the stage alongside his longtime idol, Plácido Domingo, for a performance of this Georges Bizet number from “Les pêcheurs de perles”. Needless to say, Maestro Domingo is incomparable. However, standing beside the man who inspired him to become a singer, Dimash also holds his own. Dimash himself is classically trained, and even the Astana Opera once hoped to welcome him into their fold. So, his operatic skills needn’t be questioned. The true charm of the performance lies in how the two icons bring out the tale of Nadir and Zurga’s unwavering friendship. The lyrical dialogue has drama, depth, and conviction, yet it is as effortless as it gets. Each moment commands attention and leaves us in awe.

#5: “Opera #2” (2001)

This is the performance that makes you fall in love. Unlike the previous songs on this list, Dimash’s take on “Opera #2”, originally sung by Vitas, oozes a kind of playful sensuality. He starts the song teasingly slow, and his boyish charm peeks through, making fans swoon. Even though he’s singing about loneliness and surrendering to fate, the airy quality of his vocals is simply too alluring. Then, of course, he takes us to some stratospheric high notes, soaring far beyond a D, and perhaps even to an E. He does it all with such ease, our jaws are left hanging.

#4: “Daybreak” (2000)

Dimash never shies away from crediting his parents and grandparents for his success. His mum and dad are deeply involved in his career, and he aspires to please them with his music. So, whenever he performs “Daybreak” – a Chinese song Han Hong wrote about her adoptive son who lost his birth parents in an accident – it is always emotionally charged. One such performance, which took place at his “Bastau” concert in 2017, is particularly moving. From the very first notes, his voice is laced with anguish, which only intensifies as he carries the song to unimaginable heights. At one point, Dimash falls to his knees while the song crescendoes, overwhelmed by emotion but never missing a note. That moment never fails to make us cry.

#3: “Olimpico” (2019)

Dimash and Igor Krutoy make for an unbeatable artistic team. “Olimpico” is another masterful composition by Krutoy, the lyrics to which were written in Italian by Liliya Vinogradova, for Dimash. The song is under six minutes long, but makes full use of the singer’s outstanding range. Dimash transitions from a baritone voice to a tenor and even a counter tenor here, and it doesn’t take a classical musician to know how impressive that is. The vocal acrobatics make the performance intense and exhilarating, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats. By the time the song ends on that brilliantly sustained high note, we’ve ascended to musical heaven.

#2: “Sinful Passion” (1998)

Dimash has covered this A'Studio song on multiple occasions, and he nails it every single time. Without a doubt, his delivery lives up to the name of the track, especially when he performed at the opening of the New Wave singing competition in 2018. His initial breathiness is smoldering and sultry, almost like a lover’s whisper. It makes you want to close your eyes, lean in, and lose yourself in Dimash’s voice. As the song reaches a fever pitch, his volume grows, and we get those classic high notes that are to die for. The crowning moment of the performance doesn’t come until the very end, though. Dimash’s final run is a euphoric blend of classical and contemporary pop music that sets the stage on fire. Fans who were lucky enough to witness this live – we’re officially jealous.

#1: “Stranger” (2021)

This English track, another Dimash and Igor Krutoy collaboration, is unlike anything the duo has made before. The song opens with the Kazakh folk instrument kobyz, which instantly evokes a sense of mysticism and adventure. By the time the vocals come in, we’re already immersed. His technique is flawless, whistle tones and all, but more importantly, it sounds like we’re listening to a whole band of singers when it’s just one man with infinite range. The constant vocal shifts serve the song narratively, too. The protagonist of “Stranger” goes from tentative to self-assured and dauntless, but we don’t need the lyrics to know that. Dimash’s voice makes it clear. The masterstroke is how he seamlessly blends folk and classical vocals. The man is a genius.

Which Dimash song do you think is the most underrated? Tell us in the comments!