16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breathtaking Solemnity, January 24, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Russian Choral Music: Russian Easter (Audio CD)
I don't know a word of Russian language. I love serious choral music which is appropriate for worship. I am a choral singer. This recording and all the others in this rich series, hover over the listener and reverberate in the soul. The absence of the distractions of instruments is so subtle, one is well into the listening process before the realization that it is the human voice, and the human voice in agreement, which dares to approach the Throne of God. If these choral scholars are not devout Christians, they certainly fooled me. It is ethereal, robust, and earthy, all at the same time elevating in the transmission of devout worship. This is the music I use to meditate. This is the music I play in my ear as I drift off to sleep at night. I feel that this music and the music in the entire series is transcendant of culture and language. It probably is transcendant of sectarian or denominational belief. What a treasure they have revealed to these poor, simple ears!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
BEAUTIFUL, SUBLIME..., April 12, 2009
This review is from: Russian Choral Music: Russian Easter (Audio CD)
A wonderful collection of Russian Easter hymns, bells chiming the introductions! Beautiful, earthy. I've played this every Easter for the past 10 years, along with Glazunov's KING OF THE JEWS (CHANDOS cd)...tradition.
As to why Russian music I have no answer except that this is very Holy music in setting and feeling and seems so very fitting of the occasion...I enjoy it and feel that you will too.
EMI CLASSICS offers MUSIC FOR HOLY WEEK by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge which features an outstanding version of the beautiful hymn JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN TODAY, and is perfect as a sort-of set-up for this Easter Day recording.
So, if you're exploring options for sacred Easter music for the Holy Day/Week then please consider the selections I've offered.
One doesn't have to understand Russian to experience the power of this musical offering. It's all part of having a wonderful Easter season.
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