Russian Artist

Chandos’s previous Prokofiev series, recorded in the 80s with Neëme Järvi and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, is still probably the most recommendable complete cycle available. Chandos now seem to feel the need to start again, the reason possibly being that they are now using ‘authentically’ all-Russian forces. Whatever the company’s motivation (or if indeed it is to be a complete cycle), the results are impressively powerful, and the coupling stimulating and generous.

This is a striking, and very well-recorded pair of performances, well worth the attention of lovers of Russian music who have not yet encountered the works.

Glazunov’s beautifully scored incidental music for Lermontov’s play Masquerade has only survived in manuscript. With characteristic genius, he illustrates both the glittering atmosphere and dances of splendid St Petersburg balls and depicts the horrifying descent into madness of the play’s protagonist, Evgeny Arbenin, who jealously poisons his innocent wife. The shorter works on this disc likewise show Glazunov’s amazing command of orchestral resources, whether evoking an exotic oriental vision, the vivacious spirit of Hungarian music, in the Pas de caractère, or painting a mood of gentle romantic lyricism.

In Mussorgsky's oeuvre the charecteristic features of Russian music are especially prominent. He was a visionary and revolutionary personality in music.

Gnosis is the highly anticipated 8th full length from Russian Circles.

In the Russian Orthodox Church, "only human voices are allowed to take part in the worship of the Lord." Directed by Lawrence Havriliak, the St. John's Russian Orthodox Choir of Spring Valley, New York sings a capella Ukrainian Christmas carols. Sung in Church Slavonic.