General Description:

There's an old musician's joke that if you die and go to Heaven, the first thing they do is hand you a harp; if you go to Hell, they hand you an accordion. But with the release of Sacred Treasures III, that joke can now be amended: upon entering Heaven, you'll be handed a Russian liturgical score.

The fourteen selections comprising Sacred Treasures III feature music from the Russian liturgical canon recorded in sumptuously reverberant settings by leading Russian choruses. With a state-of-the-art mastering job to fully display the subtle harmonic interplay of the singers, this release offers pure balm for the ear and soul.

The music covers a wide burst of historically important pieces, from ancient Greek Orthodox chant through early 20th Century choral masterpieces of Rachmaninov, plus one modern fantasy setting of Bach's Apollonian masterpiece "Komm Susser Tod" ("Come Sweet Death") by Scandinavian composer Gunnar Eriksson.

The collection opens with an anonymous 13th Century Russian "Alleluia," set in the calmest tradition of the Orthodox service, followed by a "Sourp, Sourp" ("Holy, Holy") from the Divine Liturgy. Both are sung by the ST. PETERSBURG CHAMBER CHOIR, directed by Nikolai Korniev. More familiar, perhaps, are the four sections of Rachmaninov's Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom from 1910, sung by the large Russian State Symphony capella. There are three additional sections from Rachmaninov's Vespers collection of 1915, sung by the USSR MINISTRY OF CULTURE CHAMBER CHOIR under Valery Polyansky's direction. Should you know of savage beasts in need of calming, the Kiev Chant "Peaceful Light" (track 10) from Rachmaninov's Vespers will turn away all monsters.

The recording also aims to represent the reverential dignity of the music. Following the traditions of the Orthodox Church, no instruments are sounded - not even bells. Everything about the music and the physical setting in which it is heard is designed to produce a feeling of heavenly peace. The music is never harsh, but rather blends into the richly decorated surroundings, lit primarily by candle light. All of these selections are designed to fit within the soft golden glow of ecclesiastical tranquillity.

Rachmaninov's seven pieces are spread among a variety of other unusual works ranging from the wordless "Chorale" by Josef Ketchakmadze to the little "Serenade" by Rachmaninov's composition teacher, Sergei Taneyev (1850-1915), sung by the LEGE ARTIS CHAMBER CHOIR under Boris Abalian's direction in St. Catherine's Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg. (Yes, they have Protestant and Catholic churches in Russia.)

Easily the most unusual and unexpected item in the collection is the setting of "The Lord's Prayer" by of all people Rimsky-Korsakov. Known for his virtuoso orchestral music, few will expect so deeply devout and reverent a piece from this composer. Although his choral music is rarely performed or recorded, he published several collections of religious texts, as well as 39 superb choral settings of Russian folk tunes. This version of "Our Father" is drawn from Rimsky's Opus 22 collection.

Only with the fall of the Iron Curtain ten years ago has much music of this warmly spiritual type made inroads into the Western world. That which has emerged has indeed proven to be a sacred treasury, individual in that it combines spiritual dignity with unabashed human emotion music reflecting aspiration and pure love. All are couched within pure syllabic settings, free of formal counterpoint. While this music offers a high level of artistry, at the same time it refuses to call attention to its internal workings. (When first you encounter Sacred Treasures III, listen to Track 10 and you'll hear what I mean.)

Hearts of Space enjoyed healthy sales of the first two volumes in their Sacred Treasures series. There is every reason, judging from the music compiled in the most recent installment, to expect at least the same level of success from Sacred Treasures III. Expertly chosen by producer ELLEN HOLMES, beautifully recorded and lovingly mastered, these are works of timeless magnificence.


ELLEN HOLMES, concept, music selection and track notes

1. "Alleluia, Behold The Bridegroom"

Anonymous (c. XVIII cent.) St. Petersburg Chamber Choir dir. by Nikolai Korniev

This beautiful prayer from the Russian Easter Liturgy, recorded especially for this compilation, floats gently through space and then ascends like the frankincense that fills the cathedral.

2. "Sourp Sourp (Holy Holy)"

Divine Liturgy / Komitas
St. Petersburg Chamber Choir dir. by Nikolai Korniev

The ethnomusicologist, monk, and choir master Komitas, who lived from 1869-1935, was one of Armenia's greatest composers. His setting of the "Patarag," the Armenian Divine Liturgy, includes this lyrical jewel. Usually sung by an all-male or all-female choir, the piece is performed here by a mixed choir, recorded especially for this compilation.

3. "Lord Have Mercy"

Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op.31 / Rachmaninov;
The Russian State Symphony Cappella dir.by Valery Polyansky

An eloquent setting of the most pervasive and emotional prayer in the Russian Liturgy. The words "Gospodi pomilui" which mean "Lord have mercy" are an exact parallel to the "Kyrie eleison" of the Western mass and are repeated constantly throughout the liturgy. Rachmaninov's setting of this most-cherished prayer is magnificently performed under the direction of Valery Polyansky.

4. "The Mercy Of Peace (excerpts)"

Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op.31 / Rachmaninov; The Russian State Symphony Cappella, dir.by Valery Polyansky

Angelic and serene, this exceptionally beautiful performance by Russia's greatest mixed choir truly invokes "the mercy of peace."

5. "Komm Susser Tod"

Gunnar Eriksson (after J.S. Bach)
The Erik Westberg Vocal Ensemble dir. by Erik Westberg

This prayer of surrender is based upon one of J.S. Bach's most touching pieces. The original Bach chorale was arranged by two Scandinavian composers in turn first, Knut Nystedt, and then Gunnar Eriksson whose elaborations create a series of haunting dissonances seemingly suspended in timelessness, adding an otherworldly dimension to this exquisite piece.

6. "Serenade"

Sergei Taneyev
Lege Artis Chamber Choir dir. by Boris Abalian

This tenderly lyrical setting of text by the poet A. Fet is a miniature by one of Rachmaninov's most important teachers.

7. "Grant Us This O Lord"

Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op.31 / Rachmaninov
The Russian State Symphony Cappella dir. by Valery Polyansky

From Rachmaninov's setting of the Divine Liturgy, this is a particularly beautiful and compelling rendition of the invocation for mercy.

8. "Our Father"

Rimsky-Korsakov; St. Petersburg Chamber Choir dir. by Nikolai Korniev

The orchestral music of Rimsky-Korsakov is far better known than his sacred choral music, but this intimate setting of the "Our Father," recorded especially for this compilation, reveals his mastery in composing heartfelt music for Russian cathedrals as well as for concert halls. Thanks to Musica Russica for the score.

9. "Gloria (excerpt)"

All-Night Vigil, Op.37 / Rachmaninov
USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir dir. by Valery Polyansky

This final verse of Rachmaninov's setting of the Gloria, in a majestically serene performance by Valery Polyansky's great choir, conveys a feeling of assurance that ultimately, all is well.

10. "Peaceful Light (Kiev Chant)"

All-Night Vigil, Op.37 / Rachmaninov
USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir dir. by Valery Polyansky. Victor Rumantsev, tenor

Rachmaninov's All-Night Vigil, commonly translated as Vespers consists of 15 motets, 9 of them based upon ancient Byzantine chants. While this piece is being sung, all the candles and lamps in the cathedral are lit.

11. "Praise The Lord O My Soul (Greek Chant)"

All-Night Vigil, Op.37 / Rachmaninov
USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir dir. by Valery Polyansky. Irina Arkhipova, mezzo-soprano

Both of Rachmaninov's major sacred choral compositions the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and the later All-Night Vigil include the prayer "Praise the Lord O My Soul" in a solemn melody for female solo and full choir. Soloist Irina Arkhipova is one of Russia's most important singers.

12. "Blessed Art Thou O Lord (Kiev Chant)"

Ancient tune from the Requiem Liturgy
Harmonized by hieromonk Nafanail (Bachkalo); Choir of the Trinity-St. Sergius Laura dir. by Fr. Matfei Mormyl

This performance of the ancient chant was part of the historic Kulikovo 600th jubilee memorial service in 1980, at the Trinity-St. Sergius Laura on the feast day of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God. With its hypnotic repetition and gradually building emotional intensity, it is a powerful expression of deep faith and ultimate affirmation.

13. "Chorale"

Josef Ketchakhmadze
St. Petersburg Chamber Choir dir. by Nikolai Korniev

This beautiful contemporary Georgian piece, recorded especially for this compilation, is a prayer without words which quietly immerses the listener in a mood of deep peace and benediction.

14. "Amen, Alleluia"

Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op.31 / Rachmaninov. State Symphony Cappella
dir. by Valery Polyansky

This "Amen, Alleluia" from Rachmaninov's monumental Liturgy, suggests the tolling of a great cathedral bell. It is a summation of the Liturgy's innermost essence and of this musical journey.

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