Most Christian liturgies are strongly associated with singing, but none are defined by the intoned human voice quite like those of the Eastern Orthodox Churches. No surprise then, that there should be a wealth of choral music associated with this liturgy, dating back to the 16th century and evolving more-or-less uninterrupted until the sudden decline in the Church’s fortunes which accompanied the Bolshevik Rebellion in 1917. Russian choral music has been a feature in Tenebrae’s concert performances since the choir’s inception, and this exquisite collection includes some little-known gems, rarely heard outside Russia, as well as some familiar favourites from this vast area of choral repertoire.

Programme

Sergei Rachmaninov – Priidite, poklonimsia from All-Night Vigil
Sergei Rachmaninov – Blagoslovenie and Velikaya Yektenia from Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
Sergei Rachmaninov – Blazhen muzh from All-Night Vigil
Sergei Rachmaninov – Heruvimskaya pesn from Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
Pavel Chesnokov – Tebe poyem
Nikolay Golovanov – Otche nash
Pavel Chesnokov – Svete tihiy
Sergei Rachmaninov – Bogoroditse Devo from All-Night Vigil
Pavel Chesnokov – Heruvimskaya pesn
Alexander Sheremetiev – Nïne silï nebesïya
Nikolay Golovanov – Slava Ottsu (Yedinorodnï)
Sergei Rachmaninov – Nïne otpushchayeshï from All-Night Vigil
Viktor Kalinnikov – Svete tihiy
Mikhail Glinka – Heruvimskaya pesn
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Legend (The Crown of Roses)
Nikolay Kedrov – Otche nash
Sergei Rachmaninov – Vzbrannoy voyevode from All-Night Vigil

Artist(s)

Nigel Short, Tenebrae