Estonian Philharmonic

With this new release the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under Daniel Reuss pay tribute to Max Reger (1873-1916) and Rudolf Tobias (1873-1918). In his collection of sacred and secular songs, Reger connects them with nature and its rhythm. Rudolf Tobias uses more secular texts for his songs. Two of the most famous ones – “Eks teie tea” and “Otsekui hirv” – are included on this release and offer a stunning introduction to his music.

For their second release on Ondine, the acclaimed Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under chief conductor Daniel Reuss perform Psalm settings by Felix Mendelssohn and Estonian composer Cyrillus Kreek. The first release on Ondine from the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir was an ‘Editor’s Choice’ in Gramophone and awarded ‘Disc of the Year’ by German weekly DIE ZEIT.

Sergei Rachmaninov - All-Night Vigil op. 37
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir / Paul Hillier
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 194 MB | Full Artwork: 188 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Harmonia Mundi # HMU 907384 | Country/Year: US 2005
Genre: Classical | Style: Sacred, Vocal, Early 20th Century

…Paul Hillier is arguably the finest living conductor of spiritual choral music, a conductor with a complete mastery of the technique of singing and a consummate understanding of the transcendence of music. The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir is probably the best Baltic choir, a chorus with the sonorous depths of the best Russian choirs, the supple strength of the best Scandinavian choirs, plus the soulful longing of the best choruses in the world. And, of course, Rachmaninov's All-Night Vigil is beyond all argument the greatest, the deepest, the most transcendent choral work ever composed by a Russian and one of the highest musical embodiments of humanity's spirituality. Together, Hillier and the Estonians turn in a performance of the All-Night Vigil of supreme musicality and sublime spirituality, a performance to convert the unconverted and bring the apostate back to belief. Harmonia Mundi captures the performance in sound that can only be described as stupendous.