Search - Anonymous, Dimitry Stepanovich Bortnyansky, Ivan the Terrible :: Russian Orthodox Music by The Tallis Scholars directed by Peter Phillips

Treasures waiting to be discovered

Mark Swinton | 02/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently learned that the idea for this disc (originally issued as an LP in the early 1980s) actually began with John Tavener- he is to date the only living composer commissioned by the Tallis Scholars and whilst discussing the recording of his "Great Canon" or "Ode of Saint Andrew of Crete," he and Peter Phillips decided to look into the wider world of Russian Orthodox music, including simple motets by Stravinsky, Rachmaninov and Bortniansky, as well as anonymous mediaeval fragment-motets. The result is probably the best recording of Russian Orthodox music you can get hold of, not least because it covers a broad timescale and reveals minute details of the Russian choral style, which has clearly not changed over time, whereas Western choral music has changed dramatically in the last four hundred years alone.The fragments, sung here by men, are not particularly easy on the ear as they contain some blunt and even fierce dissonances, but the mediaeval motets are astonishingly radiant (the first of these is for triple choir and is sung one-to-a-part in a breathtaking display of vocal virtuosity). Virtuosity is also apparent in the Rachmaninov "Lord's Prayer"; meanwhile the simplicity of the Stravinsky motets makes them very beguiling. And the "Great Canon" itself is worth the price of the disc alone: although a lot of it consists of a baritone soloist chanting on a monotone, the musical prostration of the choruses, descending in pitch through some radiant harmonies, is one of Tavener's finest achievements. The Tallis Scholars are at their very best here (although intonation in the Bortniansky piece at the end sounds poor) and the recording quality is outstanding, considering that it is a digital remastering from analogue sources. This CD is a veritable treasure trove, harbouring some exceptionally unique music, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it."

Definitely one of the best ever

Mark Swinton | 09/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just about everything on this CD is wonderful- the quality of the sound (AAD notwithstanding), the variety and quality of the music and the quality of performance. With only twelve of his highly professional singers, Peter Phillips guides us through the fascinating world of Russian Orthodox Music across the centuries, pairing anonymous mediaeval chants and motets with the most delightful little settings by Tsar Ivan the Terrible, Stravinsky and Rachmaninov. Of these, the Rachmaninov "Lord's Prayer" (sung in English!) and the Stravinsky counterpart (sung in Russian) are easily the most arresting on account of their haunting beauty. The high point of the disc comes with the "Great Canon" of John Tavener, featuring astonishing harmonic language and a prominent baritone solo ably sung by Jeremy White. The only pity is the last track- to be blunt, "Mnogaya Lieta" by Bortniansky makes me giggle because it sounds just plain silly and the singers don't quite appear to be in control of it (as they are with the other tracks). However, that is just a minor point. This disc is faultless, and confirms that as chamber choirs go, the Tallis Scholars are one of the best ever formed. Truly an outstanding recording- highest recommendation!"