New Joy - Orthodox Christmas Music [Import]

Vasyl Barvinskyi (Composer), Georgiy Izvekov (Composer), Alexander Kastalsky (Composer), Nicolas Kedrov (Composer), Mykola Leontovych (Composer), Arvo Part (Composer), Kyrylo Stetsenko (Composer), Piotr Tchaiovsky (Composer), Paul Hillier (Conductor), Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
• Conductor: Paul Hillier
• Composer: Vasyl Barvinskyi, Georgiy Izvekov, Alexander Kastalsky, Nicolas Kedrov, Mykola Leontovych, et al.
• Audio CD (October 10, 2006)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
• ASIN: B000GUJYLK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,588 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Beginning with bells tolling in Tallinn, Estonia's St. Alexander's Cathedral, this collection of 19th- and 20th-century Orthodox music from Russia and the Ukraine celebrates the Nativity. Most of the music was suppressed by the authorities, and some of the composers represented - Kastalsky, Barvinskyi, and Izvekov (whose stunning "Christ Is Born," the longest piece on the CD, here receives its first recording) were persecuted, imprisoned, or executed for their religious beliefs. There is also music by Tchaikovsky, Arvo Pärt, and a couple of other, lesser-known composers. Many of the pieces have the distinctly Slavic sound--and chant melodies--opera fans will recognize from the choral sections of "Boris Godunov," while others are more humble. But the harmonies are hypnotic, sometimes dense, and always rich and evocative. The charming Ukrainian carol "Bells Rang Early in Jerusalem" features alternate choirs imitating the tolling of church and sleigh bells. Needless to say, Paul Hillier's leadership of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir--a world-class group--is superb. A unique disc. --Robert Levine

Product Description

Orchestra: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir Conductor: Paul Hillier Composer: Vasyl Barvinskyi, Georgiy Izvekov, Alexander Kastalsky, Nicolas Kedrov, Mykola Leontovych, et al. Audio CD (October 10, 2006) SPARS Code: DDD Number of Discs: 1 Format: Import Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ASIN: B000GUJYLK In-Print Editions: MP3 Download Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews) Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #154,612 in Music (See Top 100 in Music) #71 in Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > (P) > Part, Arvo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, November 8, 2006

By 

John Matthews "jaketaz, musician" (Earth, maybe) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Joy - Orthodox Christmas Music (Audio CD)

If you liked "The Powers of Heaven", or their recent recording "Da Pacem", you will love the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir's latest collection of soul-wrenching Russian Orthodox music. The massive bass section is the first thing you'll notice, complimented by an incredibly strong and pristinely-intoned soprano section. The tenor section is not as strong as on Powers of Heaven, but as far as I'm aware, this is still the best choir in the world, bar none. I've only listened to the disc a couple times, I'm still letting it all sink in.

Additionally, solos by soprano Kaia Urb are amazing as usual, as are the Russian chant intonations by tenor Tiit Kogerman and basso profundo Vladimir Miller. Listen to the final track for a molars-rattling display of basso profundo magic that surpasses even their recording of Rakhmaninov's All-Night Vigil. The version of "Carol of the Bells" is a nice surprise as well, as are both "6 Psalms" tracks and "Bells Rang Early in Jerusalem".

This is a sublime collection by a fantastic choir. Both the performances and the repertoire put to shame every other vocal ensemble currently recording, and the Estonians continue to be the gold standard against which I measure all other choirs.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous, December 20, 2007

By 

Jay Young (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Joy - Orthodox Christmas Music (Audio CD)

I would like to second Jacob Williams' opinion on this CD and add- buy this or download it in time for Christmas (though it can be listened to at any time of year, of course). Paul Hillier leads the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir in a spellbinding recording of Eastern Orthodox Choral music. There's something about Orthodox choral music that has a unique feel to it and is hard to describe; it could be the rich chordal style, or the way the melody moves through the force of the slavonic text. Whatever it is, it makes the music a pleasure to listen to.

"A New Joy" includes some music that will be familiar to most listeners, such as Nicolas Kedrov's Our Father and the Leontovych's "Carol of the Bells" (appropriately sung in Ukrainian). In addition, there is music that has never been recorded before, such as Georgiy Izvekov's "festive canon for the Nativity of Christ". Izvekov was a Russian Orthodox priest executed in 1937 by the Soviet government. The "canon" offers a chant-based set of eight short hymn-like "odes" (plus a refrain) notable for their beautiful melodies and affecting, brilliant harmonies.

One would be hard-pressed to find a CD devoted to Christmas music in the Eastern Orthodox tradition- "A New Joy" is such a recording. It's truly a standout, and will raise your spirits and set your mind at ease.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New(found) Joy in Orthodox music!, January 13, 2008

By 

Philip See Tho (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: New Joy - Orthodox Christmas Music (Audio CD)

I listened to the samples and decided that I must have the album for Christmas. Though it came after that, the music did not lose its power to convey the beauty of the Advent message. In fact, I was captivated by the beauty of the Orthodox choral rendition of the familiar Christmas story. I was especially moved by the accounts of how some of the composers lost their lives for the music I was listening. That really gave me greater appreciation for the music that was at once familiar and different from the usual Western Christmas carols.