Track Listing

1. Church Bells: Bell-ringing at St. Alexander Cathedral (Tallinn)
2. Otche nach (Our Father), for chorus
3. Bogoróditse dyévo (Hail Mary), for chorus
4. Psalms (6): No. 2
5. Shepherds of Bethlehem (Pastyriye vifleyemstii), russian carol for choir
6. Oh, What a Wonder! (Shcho to za prodyvo), Ukrainian carol for choir
7. Today the Virgin Gives Birth (Deva dnes), for choir
8. Psalms (6): No. 1
9. The Angels Exclaimed (A vskyknuly yanholi), Ukrainian carol for choir
10. A New Joy Has Come, carol
11. Bells Rang Early in Jerusalem (Oy, v Yerusalymi), Ukrainian carol for choir
12. When Augustus Ruled Alone upon Earth (Avgustu yedinonachalstvuyushchu), for choir
13. A Song of Good Cheer (Shchedryk), Ukrainian carol for choir
14. Throughout the World (Po vsiomu svitu), Ukrainian carol for choir
15. Legend (When Jesus Christ was but a child), song for voice & piano or orchestra (16 Children's Songs), Op. 54/5
16. Christ Is Born (Hristos razhdayetsia), festive canon for the Nativity of Christ for choir: Bells / Ode 1
17. Christ Is Born (Hristos razhdayetsia), festive canon for the Nativity of Christ for choir: Ode 3
18. Christ Is Born (Hristos razhdayetsia), festive canon for the Nativity of Christ for choir: Ode 4
19. Christ Is Born (Hristos razhdayetsia), festive canon for the Nativity of Christ for choir: Ode 5
20. Christ Is Born (Hristos razhdayetsia), festive canon for the Nativity of Christ for choir: Ode 6
21. Christ Is Born (Hristos razhdayetsia), festive canon for the Nativity of Christ for choir: Ode 7
22. Christ Is Born (Hristos razhdayetsia), festive canon for the Nativity of Christ for choir: Ode 8
23. Christ Is Born (Hristos razhdayetsia), festive canon for the Nativity of Christ for choir: Refrain before Ode 9
24. Christ Is Born (Hristos razhdayetsia), festive canon for the Nativity of Christ for choir: Ode 9
25. God Is with Us (S nami bog), for choir
26. Blessed is the Man

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28572 in Music
• Released on: 2006-10-10
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .25 pounds

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

Customer Reviews

Fabulous
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.

A New(found) Joy in Orthodox music!
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.

Gorgeous
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.