The Optina Pustyn Male Choir Of St Petersburg - Orthodox Chants From Russia

Published Thursday 1st July 2004
The Optina Pustyn Male Choir Of St Petersburg - Orthodox Chants From Russia
The Optina Pustyn Male Choir Of St Petersburg - Orthodox Chants From Russia

STYLE: Choral
RATING 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 9396-9102
LABEL: ARC EUCD1846
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £4.99

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The main goal of male choir of the Optina Pustyn Choir in St Petersburg, established in 1996, is the cultivation of some of the oldest forms of Christian music we can hear today - the old Russian Church singing with it's fascinating sources and styles such as Znamenny, Balgarian, Greek, Bysantine chants, plus the study of the different types of the early Russian polyphony. It goes without saying that they do a magnificent job and to hear these magnificent voices with all their rich, undulating cadences is to enter into a truly other worldly experience. Mainstream world music company ARC Records are to be congratulated on bringing this fascinating Christian tradition to our attention and though I don't speak a word of Russian, ARC have helpfully supplied us with English translations. (I'm currently reading Tolstoy's War And Peace and this wonderfully emotive music is, for me, a wonderful accompaniment). Even if, like me, you've never set foot in a Russian Orthodox Church, this is soul-stirring stuff.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.

Be the first to comment on this article

We welcome your opinions but libellous and abusive comments are not allowed.












We are committed to protecting your privacy. By clicking 'Send comment' you consent to Cross Rhythms storing and processing your personal data. For more information about how we care for your data please see our privacy policy.