Search - Sergey Rachmaninov, Paul Hillier, Tiit Kogermann :: Rachmaninov: All-Night Vigil

One of the best out there.

Benjamin L. Filippone | Pittsburgh, PA United States | 03/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I currently own 4 different recordings of Rachmaninoff's Vespers and have listened to many more. I am an enormous fan of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and consider them one of the very best choral ensembles in the world, so I just had to pick this CD up. It is too remarkable not to give 5 stars, but I was disappointed with a few things:



1. This choir's intonation is generally as good as it gets, and I was really suprised that on a few tracks, they go flat.



2. I am a major fan of Paul Hillier and his conducting, but I did find some of his interpretations on this recording a bit on the dry side.



3. The basso profundo who adds the incredible depth to the bass section is Vladimir Miller, one of the deepest and foremost true bassos in the world today. For some reason, at the end of the fifth movement which contains the famed descent to the lowest B-flat, he apparently almost closes his mouth on the last few notes.



In any case, this recording is simply gorgeous. Their sound is absolutely perfect for this music, their tuning, blend, and resonance is astounding, and the low bass notes are more perfect and balanced than any recording of this music I've heard. Also, I found the choice to include a few original intonations and chants and on the recording very enjoyable and satisfying, as they are all sung impeccably. This is definitely a CD to get if you love the Vespers or are into Orthodox choral music in general."

Superb effort from the Hilliard Ensemble's Paul Hillier!!

another reader | 03/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording isn't quite my favourite, but it is definitely one of the best there is, no doubt about it. Until hearing Polyansky's & Hillier's recordings I thought to myself while listening to (other) recordings: "Nawww... this CAN'T be the best recording of Rachmaninov's Vespers!" lol but this one really caught my ear. I like the sound of small(ish) chamber choirs much better than big ones (like Robert Shaw's) & the performance is very fluid, basses "rise from the centre of the Earth" (as some other review said elsewhere) but aren't muddy & the soloists really get into it. In particular Iris Oja on "Blagoslovi Dushe Moya Gospoda" (track 2) sounds like he's practically crying for the whole thing. Again, not my favourite - Polyansky's - but it's so good I listen to it just about as much as that one. Well done Paul Hillier!"

Deeply moving, beautifully sung

J. V. Lewis | secure undisclosed location | 07/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own an old, unmarked casette tape of these vespers, apparently sung by a Russian choir during Rachmaninov's life, though its origen is unknown. It is hard to imagine the original performance because the recording quality is poor. I have also heard the vespers sung by English-speaking choirs a few times, and, though the choral quality was excellent each time, there was a noticeable lack of familiarity and a clumsiness with the Russian language that marred these performances. In this new recording the Estonian choir, likely Russian speakers, handle the language with ease and are able to focus their considerable skills on expression. The result is a powerful, clear, and moving performance that elevates these great compositions to new heights, at least in my experience. The recording manages to capture a spatial, tonal, and dynamic depth that does justice to the composer's wide-open harmonies. While listening, it is easy to imagine oneself a participant in the Orthodox liturgy.



I highly recommend this recording as a powerful addition to any collection of Russian, Romantic, or sacred music."