Russian Choral Music
Not surprisingly for one of the largest countries on the planet, Russia has a wide and diverse spectrum of music, including a broad range of a cappella styles & genres, ranging from exquisite Jazz to spectacular sacred pieces, performed by children's ensembles and adult groups both - with each recording you'll explore and discover a different facet of a centuries-old, beautiful culture that is little explored in the West.
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The Ural Rowan Red Sarafan Nightingale Amur Waves Dark Eyes Down the Volga River Dubinushka, the Volga, Boatman's Song There was a Birch in a Field On a Hill Suliko (Georgian) Oh Oak, My Oak (Ukranian) Sing Martlet, Sing One Hears the Sound of a Distant Lone Bell Twelve Robbers Brooms Peddlers The Evening Chime Kalinka |
This superb chorus sings a multiplicity of folk masterpieces: Russian, Gregorian, and Ukrainian. The authentic Russian songs offered generously on this program cover a wide range of genre and character, from love songs and coach tunes to peasant dances. The emotional range is broad as well, from subtle lyrics to boisterous joy. Each region represented reveals in its music an enriched experience of the uniqueness of its own culture. Sumptuous sound from top to bottom, pinpoint accuracy, electrifying virtuosity and great expressiveness. Selections range from old favourites like "Dark Eyes," the "Volga Boatman's Song," and "Kalinka," to much less familiar gems like "There is Birch in the Field" (Tchaikovsky Uses this theme in his Fourth Symphony.) The true joy in singing is everywhere evident.
| 8834 CD $15.95 |
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Hristos Voskrese - Alexander Kastal'sky Blagoslovi, Dushe - Pavel Chesnokov Bogoroditse Devo - Sergei Rachmaninoff Three Choruses: Bogoroditse Devo - Georgy Sviridov Three Choruses: Liubov' Sviataya - Georgy Sviridov Three Choruses: Pkayanniy Stih - Georgy Sviridov Ghospodi Vozzvah/Tsar' Nebesniy - Znamenny Chant Beznevestanya Devo - Vasily Titov Slava Vo Vishnih Bogu - D. Bortnansky Chrubic Hymn - Mikhail Glinka Milost' Mira Peter Tchaikovskky Angel Vopiyashe - Peter Tchaikovskky Hymn in Honor of SS. Cyril and Methodius - Peter Tchaikovskky O Tebe Raduyetsia - Stepan Smolensky Svete Tihiy - Alexander Kastal'sky Hvalite Imia Ghospodne - P. Chesnokov V Molitvah Neusipayushchuyu Bogoroditsu - S. Rachmaninoff Litany of Supplication - Alexander Arkhangel'sky Otche Nash - Nicolai Kedrov Sr. |
Over the past thousand years, Russian composers have created an immensely rich and varied body of choral music and chant to express the sacred texts of the liturgy. Sacred Songs of Russia portrays the musical legacy of the Russian people, which comes as a response to the depth of their faith. Among the noteworthy works on this recording, which contains previously released material, are two stirring works by Rachmaninoff including Bogoroditse Devo (Rejoice, O Virgin) from his All Night Vigil, opus 37, and V molitvah (The Mother of God, ever-vigilant in prayer). Perhaps most significant are the Three Choruses of Georgy Sviridov (1915-1998), composed during a time when sacred music was still actively suppressed by the Soviet regime. The three works by Peter Tchaikovsky, Milost' mira (A Mercy of Peace), Angel Vopiyashe (The Angel cried), and Hymn in Honor of SS. Cyril and Methodius, are also strong statements of the Russian faith and expression through music.
| 8563 CD $15.95 |
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The Camerata Vocal Group comprises eight professional musicians, seven singers and a sound engineer. All are graduates of higher schools of music in Belarus and Russia. Their repertoire includes pieces belonging to different genres, from classical to jazz, oftentimes interwoven with each other, giving birth to totally new and uncommon combinations. The core of "Angel" is Slavic folklore, but each piece is a work of experimental and quite amazing vocal art. Concert tours in the Soviet Union, Switzerland, Poland, Turkey, Austria and the U.S. have gained them fans from all music traditions. Eight stunning pieces: "Near The Grove," the soaring "Falcon," the title tune (with a marvelous vocal "horn section"), the classical/jazzy "My Little Eye-Brows," "Autumn Night," "Segudilia," "Bulgarian Fantasy" and "Christmas." Absolutely lovely, with harmonies and vocal effects that must be heard to be believed. Camerata is one of the best in the world, however we wish to define or categorize them!
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Every now and then there is a creation which is so unique
that it is stunning. "The Black Slavics" is such a creation. From the concept,
musical fiction, an idea which is unique in our experience, to the resulting
fabulous voices of Les Anges Compagnie this recording is a must for anyone
involved in world music. Music Fiction is the concept of Thierry Van Roy
to rewrite history and create the music which might have existed. The historical
basis of the songs on this recording lies in the fact that Evgeni, the brother
of Tsar Peter the Great, purchased 2,500 African slaves in 1684 to replace
all the servants on his estate 500 km from Moscow. Problems arose in three
years and Evengi drove the slaves out of Kazan. After a long odyssey these
displaced Africans tried to establish colonies which were ultimately decimated
by disease. What if they hadn't perished and had instead overcome the Czars
laws which prohibited them from singing in their native language but had
persisted and created a musical heritage which still exists? Listen to this
mix of cultures in which equal parts of various Slavic polyphonies are presented
with equal parts of Central African vocal styleazations sung in Lingala.
This wonderful mix was improvised on the day of the recordings by Brussels'
based Les Anges Cie who were formed to express the musical soul of Africans
living in Europe.
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Founded in the summer of 1994 in Russia by Mark and Yuri Smirnovs,
and influenced by Singers Unlimited, Take 6 and the New York Voices, the
3 man, 3 woman Cool & Jazzy has won international contests and festivals,
including the Ward Swingle Award. The group sings live, dynamic and energetic
music with their own arrangements in a wide assortment of languages. Their
4th CD, "A Cappella," features 11 songs, "Intro," "Bei mir bistu shein,"
"Katyusha," "Conte partiro," "Cheek to Cheek," "Brazasia," "Moscow," "Korobeiniki,"
"Ils aimment," "Hava Nagila," and, appropriately, "The End." We were thinking
we had heard, for instance, "Cheek to Cheek," but never anything like this.
These 6 brilliant singers take a song and make it their own. From Russia
with Jazz!
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The famous Don Cossack Choir under Serge Jaroff was one of Russia's best and on the first CD of this set these male singers perform a series of Russian traditional songs and arrangements of music by composers such as Tchaikovsky and Glinka. The second CD features bass-baritone Michael Minsky whose classic authentic Russian sound is bound to stir the hearts of lovers of mother Russia.
Listen to "Borodino" in Real Audio.
| 8489 2CDs $9.95 |
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The Day Of The Journey You're Praiseworthy You, Kubanskij Cossack In The River Jordan Homesickness In The Light Of The Fire The Good Sea Kalinka With Troika Bless My Soul Turn On The Light The Glorious Deed Bless Me The Sound Of Bells From The Wasteland Twelve Bandits From The Cherubs Stenka Razin Kajushka With Troika Many Years |
This collection is a celebration of the many regions and vastness of the Russian land with traditional songs from across the country movingly and stirringly sung by this world-class choir.
| 8626 CD $9.95 |
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Grosse Bitt Litanei - Vater unser (Kiewer Melodie) Wir verbeugen uns vor Deinem Kreuz (Maximowitsch) Herr erbarme Dich unser (M. Lovorsky) Heiliger Gott (Kiewer Melodie) In der Kirche (Pjotr Iljitsch Tschaikowsky) Credo (Alexandr Gretschaninow) Unter Deiner Gnade (Traditionel) Gott sei mit uns (Kastalsky) Erster Psalm Davids (Fatejev) Tedeum Laudamus (Dimitrij Bortnjanskij) |
The rich and emotional music of the Russian Orthodox Church is seldom heard in the Western world, making this treasure an even greater enhancement to the spectrum of the Edition. No western and few Russian ensembles can communicate the Orthodox liturgy as convincingly as the legitimate successors to Serge Jaroff‘s legendary Don Cossacks Choir. Rarely to be found on a west European release, the compositions especially selected for the liturgically conceived Musica Sacra reveal a surprising new insight into the high art of sacred Russian music and tradition.
| 8327 CD $15.98 |
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In the Dark Forest Oh the Field Steppe all around Prince Oleg I Walk the Lonely Road We are Factory Lads Garden Gate Nighingale Twelve Robbers Seven Sons-In-Law Black Raven Night Was Dark Evening Bells Wicker-Shoes Hey, Ookhnem Through Vague and Obscure Taiga Road Brooms Troyka Bell Young Maid Was Walking in the Grove Barynia |
The Konevets Quartet was founded by graduates and students of the St. Petersburg Music Conservatoire in July 1992. The Quartet takes its name from the Konevets Island and Monastery, some 160 kilometers northeast of St. Petersburg, on Lake Ladoga. It was there, over 600 years ago, that St. Arseny Konevsky founded a cloister in the honour of the birth of Mary, Mother of God. The repertoire on this, their sixth recording is comprised of Russian folk songs based on ballads, dances and regimental songs and marches of the Tsarist armies, and from the old military academies, forbidden during Communist times. If you have ever been moved by the glorious, robust singing of the Russian peoples, this is a chance to experience the same music polished to perfection by a concert trained quartet. Wonderful!
| 6526 CD $15.98 |
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Recorded at the monastery of Konovets, this CD is a compilation of some of the best Russian sacred music of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. As the first recording of spiritual music in the history of the monastery, this CD allows the listener to enjoy the unique acoustics of the church. The album begins and ends with the ringing of the church bells. There is some glorious singing from this wonderful quartet. They begin with the well known "O come let us worship" from Rachmaninov's Vespers. The remainder of the recording is comprised of pieces by less well known composers, but includes many works by Chesnokov. The Konovets Quartet presents a fascinating program.
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Formed five years ago in Kiev, the six men who make up the Ukrainian group Man Sound have recorded three compact discs and toured extensively in Europe. In their early years, the group gave dozens of gospel concerts in six western U.S. states. Most recently they were invited to the U of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival by Hampton himself. The group's repertoire includes famous jazz compositions and Ukraine folk songs as well as traditional and modern gospel music. "Slavic Roots" are Ukrainian folk songs, all a cappella except for some light guitar on "Under the Cloud." Included are two medleys, "Triptych" and "Diptych," "Polechko-Pole," "Under the Cloud," "Hey, Let's Hoot," "There You, Wide Steppe" and "White Swallow." The group's powerful, fine-tuned ensemble sound derives from their individual talents as soloists. Adding scat jazz riffs to a "Volga Boatmen" base is the kind of fresh vocal surprise Man Sound is becoming well known for. Excellent and recommended!
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ManSound, an a cappella sextet from Kiev, Ukraine, got its start in 1994 as an idea of composer and arranger Vladimir Mikhnovetsky. The group consists of experienced professionals and it is a permanent participant of international jazz festivals and concerts. First building a Russian fan base with concerts and appearances at jazz festivals in Moscow and other cities, ManSound began touring in 1996, when the group traveled to the United States for six weeks, performing with great success in universities and evangelical churches. In February of 2000, ManSound performed at one of the biggest jazz events in the USA, the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, following the invitation of Lionel Hampton himself. They also performed in 2002 and 2003, delighting crowds of 5000 at the nightly performances. Dr. Lynn Skinner, director of The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, called ManSound the hit of the jazz event. "Magic" has only 7 songs, but 3 are marvelous medleys, two of them of George Benson's songs and one of Stevie Wonder tunes. Besides these favorites, "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "Nature Boy," "Lullaby of Birdland and "Angel Eyes" are standouts which includes everything on the CD. Tremendous voice control, incredible arrangements, butter-smooth blue-note harmonies, surprising tempo changes and scat breaksÑit adds up to a stunning first CD by a huge, fast-rising talent in the jazz/a cappella world!
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Snow The Time Has Come Through The Thick Mysterious Taiga Song Of The Noble Regiment Monotonously Rings The Little Bell On The Wild Steppes Beyond The Baikal See Our Peasants My Little Birch Torch Behind The Clouds I Cannot But Think Back Splendid Sea The Separation Upstream On The Volga Glory Be To You Cossacks Of The Kuban The Fog Is Coming Down The Twelve Brigands He Alone Deserves To Live Driving The Waves Of The Volga |
These songs date from various periods, yet their very popularity makes them timeless. They were sung at feasts and celebrations, in chorus or solo, simply for the pleasure of making music. They were also sung at work or in prison, and they were used to glorify the revolution. These songs reflect the very soul of the Russian people. The Moscow Male Voice Choir, under the direction of Anatoly Grindenko, is one of the nation's finest.
| 8423 CD $16.98 |
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This recording from the Moscow Boys Choir is a selection of the variety of styles that this choir performs. From Russian folk and classical to traditional and contemporary Christmas songs, this choir will captivate you. The majority of the album is comprised of Russian songs by Rachmaninoff, Glinka, Stepanov and Taneev and includes two beautiful Russian folk songs. The second part of the recording contains many Christmas pieces including three selections from Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols." One special treat on this CD is "Schedrick" the Ukrainian song better known as "Carol of the Bells."
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This internationally renowned boys choir performs Christmas music from around the world. Led by Ninel Kamburg, listeners are transported to far away places as the choir showcases classics. Featured on this disc are such favorites as "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," "Jingle Bells" and their beautiful rendition of "Silent Night" plus moving classical standards as Bach/Gounod's "Ave Maria." This group will warm your hearts this holiday season.
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On Flute I Play my Sad Verses Vivat Suite Saintly Love (G. Sviridov, arr. A. Semyonov) This is not a White Birch (trad., arr. A. Sveshnikov) Hey, You, Wide Steppe (trad., arr. A. Semyonov) The Little Cuckoo (trad., arr. S. Zharov) A Winter Road (V. Shebalin, arr. A. Chmyryov) The Waves Are Sleepy My Lovely Rowan Tree (trad., arr. A. Semyonov) The Volga Boat Men (trad., arr. A. Sveshnikov) The Legend of the Twelve Robbers Steppe, Endless Steppe (S. Sadovsky, arr. A. Semyonov) The Lovely Night In a Dark Wood (trad., arr. A. Sveshnikov) The Little Bell (trad., arr. A. Semyonov) Dignity Song of Cherubs (D. S. Bortnjansky) |
The Optina Pustyn Male Choir consists of six to nine professional musicians trained at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. The choir tours and has produced five CDs to date, but they are also part of the regular monastic choir at the Optina Pustyn Monastery in St. Petersburg. Singing in the tradition of the world famous Don Cossack Chorus directed by Sergei Jaroff the choir sings Russian traditional songs including favourites such as the ‘Volga Boat Men’ and the ‘Legend of the Twelve Robbers’ and others. Information in English, German, French and Spanish, plus complete lyrics in Russian with English translations.
Listen to "The Little Cuckoo" in Real Audio.
| 8328 CD $14.98 |
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The male choir of the Optina Pustyn Monastery in St. Petersburg was established in 1996 and consists of 6–9 professional singers with impressive voices. Their main goal is the cultivation of the heritage of the old Russian Church polyphony in its different styles, such as: Znamenny, Bulgarian, Greek, Byzantine chants, etc. This recording is an impressive example of orthodox chants and shows the beauty of Russia’s religious songs. Information in 4 languages.
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Down the River Mother Volga O the steppes In the dark forest The bell tolls Snow fall in the street Steppes, only steppes all around O, the sweet night Do not reproach me, do not blame The troika-mail is running Fade, fade The legend of the twelve highwaymen The young man has flown like a bird Evening bell Guelder rode Neighbour Along the river Dark eyes |
The Patriarchal Choir, Moscow was formed in 1983, and consists of professional singers, both men and women. The choir take part in the services of the Moscow Church of the Resurrection, basing its work on old Russian choral tradition, from the 17th century to works of bortnyansky, Rachmaninov and others. The Choir began touring abroad in 1987. "Folk Songs" features 17 a cappella songs; some of our favorites are "Down the River Mother Volga," "In The dark forest," "The bell tolls," "O, the sweet night," "Do not reproach me, do not blame," "The troika-mail is running," "Along the river" and "Dark Eyes." There is tremendous depth of feeling here; wonderful solos supported by solid background harmonies. A powerful and moving CD!
| 6923 CD $9.98 |
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Play, Skomoroshek River Trumpet Les Noces: First Tableau Les Noces: Second Tableau Les Noces: Third Tableau Les Noces: Fourth Tableau Cosmas and Demian The Drinker Green Forest God Bless, Jesus My White Peas Steambath Berry Black Beaver In the House Bunny With Short Legs The Bed Birch Tree |
Founded in 1973 in Moscow by Dmitri Pokrovsky, the great musician and ethnomusicologist, the Pokrovsky Ensemble's repertoire encompasses more than 2000 songs, including medieval Russian village music, music of the country's old and new faiths, and modern works of Russian composers. The Russian nation has many different ethnic groups separated by geographical regions. Each small group has its own customs, traditions and lifestile. This is reflected in their songs, which are in an oral improvisational tradition handed down from generation to generation. Dmitri Pokrovsky was the one of the first musicians in Russia who felt the need to bridge the gap between the old and new musical vocabulary. He formed the Ensemble as a 'living laboratory' with the aim of keeping folk music alive.
| 8628 CD $15.95 |
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Mosquito Oak Forest Slow Kaluki Pine Tree Porushka Lullaby Geese Fly Fasst Kaluki Sadko Where Have You Been Three Sisters On The Street |
A thrilling project, it has an interesting story behind it. Pokrovsky's group is referred to here as a "living laboratory" -- a hub of musicians and scientists who tested their theories about the dynamics of village life by touring outlying towns in the Russian countryside. A portion of the entrancing vocal polyphony they picked up is enthusiastically performed here, without a hint of academic reserve. Robust men's choirs are followed by equally gutsy female solos, interspersed with small vocal groups and a raucous mixed chorus ends this all-too-brief treasure chest on a high note
| 9912 CD $15.95 |
The traditions of Russian music, especially the religious traditions, are realized in the creative work of the composer Georgy Dmitriev. The Testament of Gogol was composed in 1997. The idea of this work was nurtured for many years in the imagination of the composer. Gogol had always been one of his favorite authors. The text for the work is taken from the first chapter of Gogol's Selections from Correspondence with Friends. The form of the work is unique. Its 11 choral parts, or episodes are inserted into one large composition. The 11 parts of the reader interact with the subsequent choral singing in different ways, thus making the whole process more dynamic and symphonic. The premiere of the work took place on March 7, 1999 in the Rachmaninoff Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. The "Vremya" newspaper wrote: "The composition is not infected either by the spirit of the avant-garde or with doubts of post-modernism. It has been written strongly, intelligently, professionally and convincingly shows the author's excellent knowledge of choral singing as well as the 20th century's means of expressing itself."
| 8559 CD $15.95 |
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Russian Nation Anthem Happy Girl Moscow Night Suliko Oh, You Nightengale Oh, You Rye Twelve Robber Varshavianka Paganini Variations Song Of The Flea A Birch Tree Stood In The Meadow Stenka Razin Across The Valleys And The Mountains Motherland Seven Sons-In-Law It's Good For Us Soldiers In The Forest Sports March |
The Red Army Choir was formed out of Moscow's Central Army Club in 1928. Under the name Red Army Song Ensemble, twelve soldier-performers - a vocal octet, a bayan player, 2 dancers, and a reciter - officially performed for the first time on October 12, 1928, at the Frunze Club under the direction of their conductor, Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov, a young music professor at the Moscow Conservatory. The ensemble grew to serve as the official army choir of the former Soviet Union's Red Army. The choir consists of a male choir, an orchestra, and a dance ensemble. The songs here range from Russian folk tunes to Church hymns, operatic arias popular music and patriotic songs.
| 8492 CD $15.95 |
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The Red Star Red Army Chorus and Dance Ensemble was created in 1978 in Moscow, mostly to raise the cultural level and maintain the battle-readiness of the strategic rocket forces and other elements of the Red Army. A Russian proverb says "A fairy tale is a lie, but a song tells the truth." Fairy tales have become rare in present-day Russia, but folk tunes still form an integral part of daily life. Accompanied by the balalaika and the bayan (a large button-key accordion), these songs tell of love and loss, of sadness and solace, of brave deeds and everyday problems. Humor and dance can be found here, as well as melancholic longing and heroic pathos. Some favorites of the 18 songs: "Regimental Polka," "Kalinka," "Volga Boat Song," "The Swallow," "The Brave Don Cossacks," "Wait For Your Soldier," "Ochi Chornye-Dark Eyes," "In The Sunny Meadow," "The Cliff," and "On The March." All accompanied. "Kalinka" beautifully captures the brash power and deep emotions of the Red Star Red Army Chorus.
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Spirited, committed, manly singing. Soul-shaking stuff! The ensemble is incisive; soloists are marvelous. The folk melodies are enchanting. The songs - and the singers - are bound up in the cultural fabric of the Cossacks, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, Trotsky, Nabakov... This music conveys the great romantic, dignified, boisterous soul of the Russian People.
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Patriotic Song Meadowland Regimental Polka Cossack's Dance Paganni Variations The Swallow Dark Eyes Russian Dance Volga Boat Song Kamarinskaya A Birch Tree Stood in the Meadow The Sun Set Behind a Mountain Sailor's Dance The Flight of the Bumble Bee Song of a Flea Happy Girl Seven Sons-in-Law Hopak Dance Moscow Nights Kalinka On The March |
This concert, given by the magnificent Russian troupe, The Red Red Army Chorus And Dance Ensemble, was recorded at the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow prior to a nationwide tour of the United States in the autumn of 1992. The 100-strong Ensemble was first formed within the USSR armed forces in 1977, performing concerts primarily for the army. Their repertoire ranges from popular folk tunes and songs of battle from all corners of the former Soviet Union to spectacular Cossack dancing and includes Glinka's Patriotic Song and Kamarinskaya, Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight Of The Bumblebee, and folk songs Kalinka, Dark Eyes, A Birch Tree Stood In The Meadow, Happy Girl and Seven Sons-In-Law. All are performed with energy, enthusiasm and patriotic fervor.
| 7532 DVD $19.95 |
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The Russian National Anthem Oh Fields My Fields (Song of the Plains) The Sacred War In The Sunny Clearing Kalinka The Cossack Dance We Sing To Thee On The Road (A Soldier's Song) Smuglianka A partisan's Song Along The Peterskaya Road Dark Eyes The Navy Dance The Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves The Bandit's Chorus Spanish Medley: Amapola/Valencia/Granada Zaporogue's Cossacks Excerpt from 'Boris Godounov' The March Of The Toreadors Nessun Dorma Di Quella Pira The Festival March Katioucha Moscow nights (Midnight In Moscow) Silent Night Jingle Bells |
Since its humble beginnings in the first decade of Stalin's rule, to performing over 1500 concerts at the frontlines in WWII, bolstering the besieged Russian troops' resolve, to the international acclaim that has followed them since the fall of the Iron Curtain, the Red Army Choir is arguably the world's leading and most visual choral/dance ensemble. "Live in Paris" is a stunning group of 25 (actually 27, with bonus tracks "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells") pieces, from the testosterone-soaked "Russian National Anthem," "Oh Fields My Fields," "The Sacred War" (an apt anthem for a people who stopped the Nazi war machine in its bloody tracks), "Kalinka" and "On the Road" (A Soldier's Song); to dramatic and colorful dance numbers like "The Cossack Dance," "The Navy Dance" (where women first appear onstage), the high-kicking "Zaporoque's Cossacks" and "The Festival March" this is powerful, moving stuff throughout. Opera-quality Tenor and Baritone soloists, an orchestra that includes multiple balalaikas and accordions, and song selections like "Dark Eyes," "The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves," "The Bandit's Chorus," "The March of the Toreadors," "Katioucha" and "Moscow Nights;" these are the soul of heroic romanticism. The bottom line: "Live in Paris" is great entertainment on many levels!
| 7531 DVD $19.95 |
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Gradual Antiphon (Znamenny chant, tone 2) Glory to God in the Highest (D.S. Bortniansky) Let My Prayer Arise (P. Chesnokov) The Good Thief (P. Chesnokov) Cherubic Hymn (G. Lomakin) In the Dark Forest (Traditional, 17th C) The Birch Tree (Traditional) The Snowstorm (A.E. Varlamov) Shall I Go? (Traditional) Oh, You Steppe (Tradtional, 17th C.) Borodino (text: M. Lermontov) Schelkalov's Aria (M. Musorgsky) Pilgrims Chorus (M. Musorgsky) The Winds Blew Softly (arr. D. Shostakovich) Oh You Roads (A. Novikov, text: L. Osanin) Song of the Arbat (B. Okudzhava) My Soul Years for the Heavens (G. Sviridov, text: S. Yesenin) Gradual Antiphon (conclusion) (Znamenny chant, tone 2) |
This third album by the Northern California chorus, Slavyanka, is an assortment of Russian sacred, secular, classical and folk music. It is intended to be a journey through Russian history to explore where soul and spirit have taken shape in music. The music draws on the traditions of the Orthodox Church and Byzantine chant and the often suppressed folk songs and includes compositions of the Russian nationalist composers like Musorgsky and Shostakovich. Led by founder Paul Andrews, this group is helping to bring the religious and secular choral traditions of Russia and other regions of Eastern Europe to the rest of the world.
| 7272 CD $15.98 |
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Based at Moscow's Schnittke Institute of Music, the 37-strong, mixed-voice Spiritual Revival Choir of Russia was founded in 1992 by director and arranger Lev Kontorovich. The first 15 songs of "Sounds" are Russian Orthodox sacred choral music from the late 1800s up until the Russian Revolution, featuring composers such as Peter Il'yich Tchaikovsky, four movements from the "Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op. 41," three versions of "Gladsome Light" (by Alexander Kastalsky, Viktor Kalinnikov and Anatoly Koselev, 6 songs by Pavel Chesnokov including "The Cherubic Hymn Op. 27," Rodion Shchedrin's "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and Valery Kitka's lovely "The Stars Are Falling in the Night." The next 8 songs are sacred music by German composers, including two cuts by Schubert, Hugo Wolf's "Komm, Trost der Welt," one each by Niel van der Watt and Olivier Messiaen, Mozart's wonderful "Laudate Dominum from Vesperae solennes de confessore" and two fine songs by Bach, "Ave Maria" and "Invention No. 8." "Sounds" is simply magnificent, every cut is stunningly beautiful!
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Created in 1992, at the end of the Soviet era, when freedom of religious expression was once again permitted, the Spiritual Revival Choir of Moscow's Schnittke Institute of Music has a repertoire that understandably deals with the spiritual exultation of religious celebration. Besides music of Russian composers, the Choir's repertoire includes music of the Renaissance and Baroque, Viennese classics, and 18th and 19th-century Romantic masterpieces. Favorites are "The Russian Soil: Chants dedicated to Russian Saints," Tchaikovsky's "Prayer of Repentance for Russia" and "Eucharist from the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom," Alexander Arkhangelsky's "I cried out to the Lord," Pavel Chesnokov's "Blessed is the Man" and "The Angel Cried," Nicolai Lebedev's "Funeral Mass," Valery Kikta's "Hymn to the Holy Virgin," and Alfred Schnittke's (founder of the Institute of Music) "Three Sacred Chorales." Tremendous depth, feeling and spirituality comes through the music of the Spiritual Revival Choir, directed by Lev Kontorovich. Beautiful and inspirational!
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Evening Bells From a Distant Land The Broad and Rolling Steppe Alone I Stand on the Road At the Blacksmiths Do Not Blame Me The Pear Tree Samara Town Between Steep Banks Down the Volga River The Drake Went Courting Aliona Singing in the Choir Snowfall The Lonely Accordian Do Not Revive Memories of the Past |
The Volga Choir and the Sveshknikov Choir are two of the large (a hundred or more voices) vocal ensembles who are famous not only in Russia, where they tour extensively, but increasingly in musical centers of the Western world. Their extensive repertory of folk songs tell of shared work, the courage of folk heroes, communal joy at births, marriages and harvests, wretchedness because of conscription or war. 16 powerful, deep-bassed songs, some favorites: "Evening Bells," "The Broad and Rolling Steppe," the lovely "Do Not Blame Me," "The Pear Tree," "Between Steep Banks," "The Drake Went Courting," "Aliona," "Snowfall" and "Do Not Revive Memories of the Past." Some light accompaniment with accordion, harmonica and other instruments. These are songs of deep feeling and strength with some amazing solos and powerful harmonies. "Folk Song" is an authentic Russian treat!
| 6926 CD $9.95 |
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Russian Cathedral Bells Great Ektenia (Sergei Rachmaninov) Hymn of Praise (Sergei Rachmaninov) Hymn of the Cherubim (Sergei Rachmaninov) Hymn of the Cherumbim (Dimitri Bortniansky) Our Father (Nikolai Kedrov Sr.) Fervent Supplication (Sergei Rachmaninov) The Noble Joseph (P. Turchaninov) Amen, And with Thy Spirit (Peter Tchaikovsky) I Have Chosen the Blissful (Alexander Gretchaninov) Hymn of the Cherubim (Grigory Lvovski) Final Bells |
The choral music of the Russian Orthodox Church is designed to set the soul soaring beyond earthly cares. Sung by the finest Russian and Bulgarian choirs, this extraordinary collection of transcendent prayers and hymns highlights a timeless Russian tradition of faith and devotion. Lush harmonies float in space, angelic high voices pour down from heaven, deep bass voices intone from the center of the earth, and the great bronze bells toll with awesome grandeur. The solemn ecstasy in the music of the Russian Orthodox Church can trace its roots back to the earliest days of Christian worship, via the great Byzantine Empire of the Near East. It presents an uncompromising search for peaks and depths of expressive fervor, aloof from all gimmicks. That was true of the music's multi-cultural roots as monastic chant, and was maintained as it evolved into full choral harmony in the late Romantic period.The Patriarchal Choir, Moscow was formed in 1983, and consists of professional singers, both men and women. The choir take part in the services of the Moscow Church of the Resurrection, basing its work on old Russian choral tradition, from the 17th century to works of bortnyansky, Rachmaninov and others. The Choir began touring abroad in 1987. "Folk Songs" features 17 a cappella songs; some of our favorites are "Down the River Mother Volga," "In The dark forest," "The bell tolls," "O, the sweet night," "Do not reproach me, do not blame," "The troika-mail is running," "Along the river" and "Dark Eyes." There is tremendous depth of feeling here; wonderful solos supported by solid background harmonies. A powerful and moving CD!
| 7515 CD $14.95 |
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The psalm "Miserere mei Deus" is a prayer for mercy, contrition and renewal. Since the 1630s, Gregorio Allegri's famous setting has been sung at dawn during Holy Week, while the Pope kneels in prayer in the solemn candlelit atmosphere of the Sistine Chapel. This contemporary version, recorded in the spectral grandeur of Osnabruck Cathedral, adds new material composed by Vladimir Ivanoff to the ethereal harmonies of the Osnabruck Youth Choir and the elegiac brass tones of the cornetto, recreating the mysterious beauty of this sacred classic.
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Alleluia Behold The Bridegroom - Anon. Gentle Light - Kalinnikov Of Thy Mystical Supper - Grechaninov The Wise Thief - Chesnokov Let All Moral Flesh Keep Silent In The Flesh Thou Didst Fall Asleep - Jonathon The Paschal Hours - Chesnokov Paschal Hymn To The Virgin To Day All Creation - Dekhteryov Come O People - Bortnyansky Give Ear To My Prayer - Grechaninov |
St. Petersburg Chamber Choir and their director, Nikolai Korniev, show off subbasement basses, soaring sopranos and a rich, well-blended sound in "Russian Easter," a group of eleven settings for Easter worship by Alexander Grechaninov, Dmitri Bortnyansky and other masters of Russian church music. The compositions were written variously from the 18th century through the present, but all stay true to the spirit and aesthetic of the Orthodox tradition. Those who find plainchant a little on the monotonous side but are still looking for a spiritual element in music will find much to admire and enjoy in these beautifully sung presentations.
| 8443 CD $15.98 |
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