Sacred Treasures 3: Choral Masterworks from Russia and Beyond
Product ID: 3457465
Product description International products have separate terms, are sold from abroad and may differ from local products, including fit, age ratings, and language of product, labeling or instructions. .com What could be more sublime than a wall of dark, rotund Russian voices shimmering against the rising, ornate walls of a great cathedral? Not much, and this compilation of absolutely magnificent music proves it. The label Hearts of Space returns on this third choral collection to the ominous Slavic chant of their first choral album, Sacred Treasures I, which gathered together recordings of stunning Bulgarian and Russian choirs portraying the sacred works of Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, and other composers. Whereas Treasures I pulled from varied sections of sacred liturgies, including solo passages, Treasures III most often stays in harmonic chant with select voices occasionally rising and rolling in polyphonic heavenly calls. The collective voice draws the emotive tension taut here, as on Rimsky-Korsakov's "Our Father," which uses the absence of darkness to later juxtapose bold, rising drama. The Kiev chant "Blessed Art Thou O Lord" sends chills down the spine as the whispering consonants of the Russian language skip across the ancient repetition like sand skitters over a stormy beach. This is a collection as breathtakingly beautiful as the Cathedral of the Dormition itself. Not to be missed. --Karen K. Hugg
B**M
One of the BEST compilations of Russian Orthodox music!
I have many Russian Orthodox music albums. This compilation is my favorite! The compilation is varied in composers and types of works it represents. Many pieces have 12-part harmonies. All have no instrumental accompaniment. I play it almost every morning and relax with a cup of coffee. I have had friends who call ask what is playing in the background that is so beautiful. It features the absolute best of Russian Orthodox sacred music. If you love this type of music or are looking for an alternative to plain-chant or just want to find something different in sacred music, this album will not disappoint!
M**Y
Sacred Choral Masterpieces of Russia and Beyond
This sacred choral music recorded in churches of Russia and sung by the many Russian choral groups is truly sacred. The clear, distinct quality of the sound is consistent throughout the CD. My own response and the response of a spiritual group I belong to has been amazing. Even though we do not know the Russian language, there is no need for translation as the music and singing take on a life of their own. For example, the latin Kyrie Eleison (Lord Have Mercy) chant with its repetitions of just those words, is the most stunning and unforgetable version I have ever heard. I play this recording almost daily to achieve inner peace and to just calm down. Finally, a bonus is the helpfull commentary provided for the playlist of this recording. It does not matter whether or not the listener is familiar with Gregorian chant performed and recorded in monasteries, or with Christian devotional music; the hymns appear new and fresh.
M**R
very good recordings
These are very good recordings of mostly 19th century Russian and other Eastern European composers' arrangements of Orthodox liturgy pieces (e.g., Rachmaninoff), But if you already own other Sacred Treasures CD's, check for overlap, as there is quite a lot of it.
N**O
Classic Rachmaninoff Recording
This CD reminds me once again why Russian liturgical music is one of the treasures of the world: beautiful, profound, awe-inspiring, uplifting.For the most part, the pieces are well chosen and the performances excellent. I am delighted to see that many of the tracks are from the classic recording of the Rachmaninoff Vespers made in the early 1970s by the USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir directed by Valery Polyansky, and released in the USA by Angel-Melodiya. I wore out my copy of the LP years ago; although it has been reissued on CD, it's out of print and very hard to find. So it is wonderful to see a generous selection from that recording available on this disk.Listen to track 11, "Praise the Lord O My Soul", sung by the chamber choir and mezzo Irina Arkhipova. You would have to have a heart of stone not to be moved as she sings "Slava Ghospidin" (Praise to the Lord). And listen to how the basses descend to B-flat at end. It just doesn't get any better than this.
A**F
Beautiful!
If you like peaceful a cappella choral music song in vast European churches, you'll love this! It is gorgeously beautiful. I listen to it to help me relax--or even to go to sleep to.
C**H
Very Nice
I really like this CD. It is beautiful. The reason I did not give five stars because it was not as good as the last one I bought. I would recommend this as it is well worth the listening.
L**N
Beautiful
I grew up with Catholic Latin music which is hard to find have several Gregorian Chant CDs and also love Miserere,Deus by Allegri and Agnus Dei by Barber which can be found on Amazon. This collection of Russian Orthodox Sacred Music is beautiful, purchased 1,3,&5 a few weeks ago after reading the reviews and listen to them everyday. My favorite so far is Sacred Treasures 3 and Will be ordering 2&4 also.
B**5
SACRED AS CAN BE
This CD is certainly a masterpiece; lifts one's soul to the heights, not to mention a very warm vox. A perfect gift for a loved one who seeks spiritual uplifting and enlightenment.
M**E
Meditative and awesome!
Perfect for my therapies!
O**R
A view of the past
Transporting and sad music uplifting to the soul
E**.
Wunderbar
Wer auf diese Art Gesänge steht wird von den Aufnahmen begeistert sein. Eine wunderbare CD.
W**.
Beauté du chant orthodoxe
Produit arrivé rapidement vu la situation actuelle et, après écoute, ce CD est tout simplement sublime.
A**A
Excellent
Magnifiques chants sacrés orthodoxes
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