Sacred Treasures: Choral Masterworks From Russia

A terrific production...a wonderful selection; great phrasing. See also "Holy Love" by 'Rossica Choir'

I am the producer of this CD and also of "SACRED TREASURES III: Choral Masterworks From Russia and Beyond" as well as "SACRED TREASURES IV: Quiet Prayers", "SACRED TREASURES V: From a Russian Cathedral", and "CELTIC TWILIGHT 7: Sacred Spirit". In each case, my intention was to bring together the very best performances of exceptionally beautiful, slow and peaceful sacred music. Most of the pieces on this compilation (as on the other compilations mentioned above) are filled with lush harmonies sung by large mixed choirs. All the selections are deeply nourishing to the soul.

In many cases, I chose to use excerpts from longer pieces, omitting the exultant huge crescendos and very fast sections that are typical of Russian sacred music, presenting only the slow and quiet verses. One reviewer complained about the omission of the final (loud and fast) part of the Cherubic hymns, saying this is the best part, but I completely disagree! I feel that the slow "adagio" sections are by far the most beautiful parts, and that is what you will hear on these CDs.

Different types of music serve different needs, and in today's stressful and fast-paced world, one of the most important and often neglected needs is for time out from that world--to "lay aside all earthly cares" (as the "Cherubic Hymns" on this CD prescribe) and to rest in a magical, quiet space of slow, peaceful, beauty. That peaceful beauty is available to you on all of these albums, including this one, "SACRED TREASURES: Choral Masterworks from Russia"!

I admit to some strong bias here, having sung on the recording of Tchaikovsky's Liturgy available here from the Russian Chamber Chorus of New York. I was in that choir for five years, and our conductor's view of how to properly interpret Russian music became my own.

Because of Stalin's efforts to cleanse the country of the influence of religion, many musicians and composers were sent to Siberia. They were replaced with those from peasant backgrounds. The result was a huge change in how classical Russian music was performed, becoming less subtle, more interested in brute power and flash.

This recording features a massive and powerful choir. But the listener mostly hears a series of vowel sounds, with the consonants lost in the shuffle. Dynamic range is not as large as it could be. Phrasing is largely absent and we hear a steady wall of sound instead. Precision of rhythm is spotty, what consonants we do hear are frequently smeared. Pitch and richness of tone are good, but on high notes, inevitably given the size of the choir, some members strain.

Having performed and recorded Tchaikovsky's Liturgy I am very familiar with the piece. But listening to this recording of excerpts from it I sometimes barely recognized it as the same work. Tchaikovsky gives us great artistry, frequently crecendos and decrecendos on a single phrase. Each choral voice comes and goes like a wave, not all together like a tsunami in all but a few places. The balance of voices is constantly moving.

I encourage you to listen to the samples available here of the Russian Chamber Chorus's recording of Tchaikovsky's Liturgy, compare the same pieces. This recording is more a Vegas neon version of this great artwork than the fine art it deserves to be shown as. James Oestreich, the New York Times critic, put the Russian Chamber Chorus recording at #4 on his top ten list of classical releases for 2001, and said that if you had not heard it "You only think you know Tchaikovsky."

I hope you give the real Russian classical tradition a listen. It deserves your time, and it will pay you back with a huge amount of pleasure.

Of all my great Robert Shaw Recordings of Bach's B-Minor, the ELIJAH, the Missa Solemnis or Haydn's CREATION, None can match the intensity, sheer choral beauty, spiritual inspiration early in the morning hours than this Treasure! Upon early arising at either 3:30 or even later I begin with meditative listening to this choral gem of Ancient Gregorian Russian Chants.

From Bortnansky to Rachmaninov to Tchaikovsky I soon hear their seamless moving of rich harmonies as whole tone, chromatic, or descending 4ths and 5ths floating through my earphones...later through my memory! I am endebted to my good friend, Dick Talley for this single recording to introduce these Russian Orthodox Chants of unique variety and fabulous interest... Fondly from Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood "Barbara377" (Fayetteville, GA United States)

Sacred Treasures is an exceptional compilation of celebrated choral excerpts from the Divine Liturgy of the Russian Orthodox church. This impeccable recording of some of the finest Russian choirs captures the breadth and clarity of sound unique to these choirs. Although the selections are excerpts of the Divine Liturgy, the music nevertheless inspires an experience of reverence and worship. Opening and closing with the magnificent sound of Russian cathedral bells, the recording transports the listener into a special realm of beauty and peace.