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Label:
   Harmonia Mundi - http://www.harmoniamundi.com/
Serial:
   HMU807410
Title:
   A New Joy, Orthodox Carols - Hillier
Description:
   Nicolas Kedrov: Our Father, Arvo Pärt; Rejoice O Virgin, Alexander Kastalsky: Verses before the Six Psalms No.1 & 2, Shepherds of Bethlehem, Today the Virgin Gives Birth, When Augustus Ruled Alone upon Earth, God Is with Us, Vasyl Barvinskyi: Oh, What a Wonder!, Kyrylo Stetsenko: A New Joy, The Angels Exclaimed, Throughout the World, Yakiv Yatsynevych: Bells Rang Early in Jerusalem, Mykola Leontovych: A Song of Good Cheer, Tchaikovsky: The Legend, Georgiy Izvekov: Christ Is Born, Kievan Chant: Blessed Is the Man

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Paul Hillier (conductor)
Details:
  
Genre:
   Classical - Vocal
Content:
   Stereo/Multichannel
Media:
   Hybrid
Recording type:
  
Recording info:
  
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Reviews: 1
Site review by Polly Nomial December 2, 2006
Performance:  Sonics (MC):
As with Paul Hillier's other releases, this is a great success.

Opening with sedate bell ringing at the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, it is followed by a wonderfully meditative "Our Father" (the Lord's Prayer) set to beautiful music by Nicolas Kedrov. Part's "Rejoice, O Virgin" then lifts the mood and tempo, as does Alexander Kastalsky's "Verses before the Six Psalms No.2". A selection of spiritual songs, carols and more sacred songs follow, with a particularly haunting carol from Ukraine "Oh, What a Wonder!" - its solo is most tenderly sung by Kaia Urb.

The eponymous carol from which the disc takes its title, is surprisingly restrained for "A New Joy". The "Bells Rang Early in Jerusalem" is very upbeat and has half the choir simulating bells - great fun. Of particular note, there is a solitary contribution from Tchaikovsky (not known for his a capella compositions) which is typically beautiful and also, unsurprisingly, reflects upon the more sombre aspects of Christ's life.

In many ways the centre piece of this disc is Georgiy Izvekov's "Christ Is Born - A festive canon for the Nativity of Christ"; it opens with bell-ringing from the Pskovo-Pechorsky Monastery before a series of 8 odes (the second of nine is omitted but the notes do not say whether this was Izvekov's or Hillier's decision). This is a reflective set of works and comes with some very beautiful moments which can be all too few at this hectic time of year. Closing the disc is a Kievan chant from the late 17th century rendered in refulgant tones by Vladimir Miller (the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir's basso profundo) after which there is festal bell-ringing at the Novodevichy Convent.

The sound is wonderfully clear and rich with little use of the rear channels outside of the bell-ringing moments. My only (minor) criticism is the use of the Cyrillic alphabet when a transliteration could have been much more effective.

Hugely relaxing and enjoyable.

(Purchased)

Copyright © 2006 John Broggio and SA-CD.net