Customer Reviews

Sacred Chants for Soloist & Male Choir

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The title here is somewhat misleading, as many of the sacred chants are really sacred arias. As the notes explain, this was once the practice in the Russian church - to write music that demanded a soloist with operatic abilities. Irina Arkhipova is such a singer, and a wonderful one at that (she has top billing on the CD, after all). I've heard her on Polyansky's Rachmaninoff Vespers CD on Melodiya, as well as on other Russian Season CDs and her performances are always excellent.

As usual with Russian Season, sound quality, intonation, and ensemble are excellent (the basses are up to the task, as well). Although the notes are good, we get no texts or translations (which is my only complaint with Russian Season). I must say that I was not expecting to hear so much flashy solowork and while I can't find fault with it, I personally prefer the more homogeneous side of sacred Russian choral music. On this CD, tracks 9 and 10 are my favorites (those tracks don't have the soloist). It is, however, a matter of preference, as the performance here is excellent. Just be ready for definite operatic overtones in these chants.

The Orthodox Singers Choir conveys incense and majesty every time they sing. The soloist is quite compelling in many selections. No instruments, just powerful, solemn voices raised in worshipful praise.

But the material does not vary enough. It is all quite similar music, performed in a similar manner, and leaves me a little tired. And it just does not grab...none of these reach the level of Rachmaninov's Vespers, or the chillingly beautiful portions of Alexander Nevsky.

A very pleasant disc, with beautiful singing, but the mediocrity of the selections sinks an otherwise glorious experience. Taken individually, each sounds good. All together, it is a less than the sum of its parts experience.