Sacred choral works of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Sviridov performed by Gloriae Dei Cantores on their own label. This 2009 recording is a hybrid multi-channel SACD in absolutely perfect condition. Buyer pays $3.50 shipping.Pro review: Here's the latest in the parade of mostly excellent releases (47 so far) from the esteemed Cape Cod ensemble, Gloriae Dei Cantores. I've singled out this marvelous, sacred-only group time and again as perhaps America's finest amateur choir. And this richly sonorous collection of Russian Orthodox sacred music gives me no reason to change my mind. First we hear some of the juiciest musical "cherries" from two great benchmarks of the genre: Tchaikovsky's Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom and Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil(Vespers). But we do get one complete work: Ineffable Mystery, a suite of highly appealing and intense sacred hymns and prayers by Georgy Sviridov (1915-1998). The favorite student of Shostakovich, Sviridov was mostly obliged to toe the communist party line in his compositions - yet his fascination with Russian sacred choral traditions and sonorities led him to create quite a few sacred pieces that he no doubt had to hide from the regime's cultural watchdogs. But he was able to slip a few of them past their noses, inserting three distinguished choruses into his incidental music for Tolstoy's play, Tsar Feodor Ioannovich. Director Patterson has apparently reinvented her choir for these performances, coaching her singers to produce the kinds of full-throated, vibrato-heavy vocal sonorities that you normally hear from only real Russian choirs. They sound uncannily authentic - with searing, sometimes strident singing from sopranos and tenors, almost masculine-sounding altos, and especially the seismically rumbling basses. But she didn't have to change much to produce the hallmark Russian spiritual intensity heard here: this choir brings a degree of spiritual sincerity and power to their singing that few choirs, professional or amateur can match. I was particularly impressed with their ability to deliver hushed pianissimos without losing the true Russian sound. Lovely recorded sound and an excellent booklet - on top of all else - make for an irresistable release. If you love Russian sacred music, just GET it. --American Record Guide March/April 2010
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