HOT OFF THE PRESS! New Review for the “All-Night Vigil” CD

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The most recent review comes from the Fanfare Archive online magazine. Since 1977 this bi-monthly publication has been dedicated to reporting on and reviewing classical music of all kinds in addition to interviewing artists and producers.

Colin Clarke, a longtime contributor to the magazine, provides his review of the recording. He focuses on the sound and its depth. Mr. Clarke also gives stellar kudos to the soloists. About tenor Igor Morozov, “one of the most beautiful voices per se I’ve ever heard.” About baritone Evgeny Kachurovsky, his “voice radiates focus…his timbre perfectly suited to this repertoire.” And about PaTRAM’s very own Chaorman and oktavist, Alexis Lukianov, “a chthontic voice, one of great beauty and totally under control.”

We invite you to read the full review, in context, which we hope you’ll find very compelling.

If you’d like to obtain a copy of the CD, please go to the PaTRAM website for a list of outlets. This recording can also be enjoyed on all your favorite digital music platforms.

As always, we thank our supporters and subscribers for their continued loyalty.

You Can FEEL the Echoes of the Ages

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In line with our promise to publish reviews of our most recent CD, this current one comes to you from an English online arts magazine called “Chimeo”. The self-described “A Celebration of the Arts” online periodical, they publish commentary about all genres in the arts world.

In a recent edition, Chimeo chose to spotlight the “All-Night Vigil” performed by the PaTRAM Institute Male Choir™.

The article is written by Steve Whitaker, Literary Editor for Chimeo. The introspective review touches on describing his impression of the emotions behind the performance on this recording. “…the transition between prayer, reflection, penitence and worship is achieved in the interplay of defined voices, each of which perfectly describes the respective piece’s tone.”

Mr. Whitaker also touches on the quality of the performance, both by the conductor and by the choir. “The renowned PaTRAM Institute Male Choir, under the stewardship of the peripatetic and vastly experienced conductor Ekaterina Antonenko, inform a powerful collective endeavour with controlled vigour, yet without the least compromise to subtlety of exposition; in these arrangements of a Rachmaninoff masterpiece”.

As Mr. Whitaker states, “you can feel the echoes of the ages in the vigour of the tonal bursts.”

We hope you read the full review to bring Mr. Whitaker’s thoughts into full context.

https://chimeo.com/article/Sergei-Rachmaninoff-All-Night-Vigil-Op37

As always, PaTRAM Institute™ thanks all its subscribers and friends for their ongoing support and loyalty. To obtain a copy of the CD or download and stream, please go to our webpage:

https://patraminstitute.org/all-night-vigil

Thank you!

PaTRAM™ Sings Rachmaninoff. And I Listen “on my knees”

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PaTRAM’s new release is BIG IN POLAND! We are wKULTURAlnySPOSOB’s Album of the Week!

wKULTURAlnySPOSOB – Robert Majewski writes….”This is the second album of the PaTRAM Men’s Choir for the Chandos publishing house. Previously, they released brilliantly sung compositions by Pawel Czesnakov, and now a jaw-dropping interpretation of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil .

Rachmaninov’s work, being one of the most important compositions in choral literature, has been subject to many great performances and recordings. Still, I’ve never heard an album that compares to this one. Everything here is incomparable. Firstly, in the original it is a composition for a mixed SATB choir, here it is sung only by male voices; secondly, the individual parts are arranged lower than the originals. This is a necessity for a men’s choir that would not sing on the scale of a mixed ensemble.

The choir’s composition is impressive: 4 countertenors, 13 tenors, 11 baritones, 12 basses and 8 octavists (lower basses, also known as profondo basses). With such a composition, it is not surprising that the choir’s sound is truly impressive.

In the booklet accompanying the album, PaTRAM conductor Ekatrina Antonienko explains that when choosing the arrangements of individual movements by Alexander Grechaninov, Dimitry Lazarev and Benedict Sheehan, she tried to stay as close as possible to Rachmaninoff’s version.

The album starts with the proverbial “earthquake”, and then the tension increases. The deacon’s incantation (Arise! Master, bless) is sung by octavist Alexei Lukyanov. My God, he has a voice! Powerful, unimaginably deep and fully controlled. The subsequent entry of the choir is as absorbing as a drowned man. It’s impossible to stop listening.

We are accustomed to the alto singing the solo in the second movement (Bless the Lord, my soul). That’s what a baritone is. Yevgeny Kakhurowski sings masterfully. Ekaterina Antonenko extracted the necessary space from the choral part of this part, as well as the homogeneous sound and the ability of the choir to sustain incredibly long rhythmic values.

In the famous fifth movement (Lord, let your servant now), the tenor, Igor Morozov, who sings the solo part brilliantly, comes to the fore. It’s hard for me to remember a better performance of this demanding part. Halfway through this movement, the chorus reaches a powerful climax, and the final bass descent to the famous lower H is rock solid.

And so the admiration could be repeated on subsequent fragments of this recording. I know, however, that living in (as Jacek Dukaj calls them) “post-literate” times, instead of reading about music, it is better to just listen to it and let yourself be carried away.

No matter how many versions of Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil you’ve heard, this one is a must-read! Revelation!

wKULTURAlnySPOSOB is an online Polish-language periodical whose self-described purpose is, “ALBUM AND BOOK REVIEWS. COLUMNS. BLOG ABOUT CULTURE”.

As we approach Orthodox Pascha, the PaTRAM team wishes you peaceful and purifying days in the final days of Great Lent and a Blessed and Bright Pascha!”

Thank you, as always, to our listeners and subscribers.

Gorgeous Rachmaninoff Full of Light and Shade

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This week’s review, of Rachmaninoff’s “All-Night Vigil” comes to us from the prestigious BBC Music Magazine, globally renowned for its full-spectrum reporting on all things music. That includes PaTRAM’s current entry into the choral music genre.

In addition to the review, BBC Music Magazine also designated the CD as its “Choral & Song Choice” for this edition of the magazine, and with that come FIVE-STAR ratings for the “Performance” AND “Recording” elements of the CD. High praise, indeed!

To read the full review by Alexandra Wilson, please click on the image above.

As promised we will continue to share, with all our subscribers and friends, reviews of this CD as they become available to us. We welcome comments from our listeners as well as from music critics and look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support! You make the music happen!

“RACHMANINOFF’S VESPERS IN EXCELSIS”

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It brings us great joy that many new as well as our loyal listeners and supporters are enjoying PaTRAM’s new Rachmaninoff’s “All-Night Vigil” release.

We are pleased to share another review, this one from Planet Hugill. Planet Hugill is an online classical music magazine written by Robert Hugill. “Planet Hugill” features regular reviews of concerts, records and operas by Robert, contributors, and guest writers, along with concert previews, classical music news, interviews and feature articles.

To read the full review, please click on the image above.

As happened previously, we recently received another wonderful note from one of our listeners, who is also a professional violinist. Hearing the “All-Night Vigil CD”, Helen Strilec Schatiloff writes, “I’m listening to it to keep myself calm (and my mind attuned to what’s really important)…it is EXQUISITE!!!! Sublime, really. Thank you for all your work to present this to the world.”

Thank you, Helen, and to all PaTRAM™ listeners! We welcome your feedback and commentary. Please don’t hesitate to give us your opinion of the CD.

Thanks to all for your continued support.

Rachmaninoff “All-Night Vigil” Named Recording of the Month By MusicWeb International

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As promised in our prior News blast, we are continuing to share reviews with you, our loyal subscribers and friends. Your support has allowed us to create this sublime music and share it with the world! Let’s rejoice together in our accomplishments.

The first review comes from Gramophone, a well-known UK classical music magazine that reports on and reviews all aspects of classical music from around the world including concerts, artists and recordings. Did you know that our Chairman, Alexis Lukianov, has a voice that sounds like rolling thunder across the Russian Steppe? Listen to his solo in the beginning of the first hymn and throughout the recording. This recording features 8 octavists, including amazing Glenn Miller and showcases the rich sonorities of the uniquely Slavic sound that only a male choir can generate.

o read the full text of Mr. Riley’s review, please click on the image.

The second review is from the Editor-in-Chief of MusicWeb International, John Quinn. We are both humbled and excited to receive the distinction of being named MusicWeb’s  Recording of the Month. A huge honor for PaTRAM™!

Mr. Quinn’s introspective review is very detailed and insightful and captures all of his feelings about the recording. To read the full review by Mr. Quinn, please click on the image above.

We wanted all our readers to know that we are deeply grateful for all the positive accolades. This recording, as with all PaTRAM projects, was recorded with deep faith and great love!

As always, thank you for your support! We look forward to celebrating our accomplishments together.

The Reviews Have Begun to Arrive For Rachmaninoff’s “All-Night Vigil”

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The newly released PaTRAM Institute Male Choir™ CD has arrived and the reviews are coming in. One of the first to review the Rachmaninoff “All-Night Vigil” album is Ralph Moore of MusicWeb International, one of the foremost online Classical Music periodicals, which reviews choral and orchestral classical music from around the world.

To read the full review from Mr. Moore, please click on the image below:

Most of the reviews come from professional reviewers such as Mr. Moore, but it was very refreshing to receive a review from one of our listeners, who took the time to write to us and share his feelings and opinions of this CD.

Mr. Green’s full response can be found by clicking on the above image.

PaTRAM™ would like to sincerely thank Mr. Green for his submission! We are very grateful for his note and support of PaTRAM!

We want to hear from you too! We invite you to share your comments and thoughts about the new Rachmaninoff “All-Night Vigil” album. So, don’t be shy about sending us your reviews of our work.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.

 

PaTRAM’s “More Honourable than the Cherubim” Continues To Gather Acclaim

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Reviewers continue their acclaim for this CD!

PaTRAM Institute™ is happy with yet another review for their newest CD, “More Honourable than the Cherubim”. This week’s review comes from Colin Clarke of Fanfare Magazine, a prominent classical music periodical.

Mr. Clarke, who has never reviewed a PaTRAM CD, speaking of Dinev’s “It Is Truly Meet”, he writes: “.. this is not only a male-voice choir, but it contains those exquisitely low Russian basses that impart a velvety resonance to the sound, and indeed we hear them in full voice offering a chthonic grounding for the piece.” We urge our listeners to read the full review for complete context.

The surge of support continues to grow, not just with critics, but with our listeners and supporters. The CD remains in the top 10 of Amazon’s New Releases Chart For Opera & Vocal with an across-the-board, 5-Star rating.

We urge our listeners to consider supporting PaTRAM Institute by purchasing a digital download, physical CD or enjoy streaming this album and all PaTRAM music at most mainstream outlets.

PaTRAM would also LOVE to hear from our listeners and supporters. If your CD purchase is on Amazon please don’t forget to post a review there, too! We would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you again for your support.

Reviews Continue Coming For PaTRAM’s “More Honourable than the Cherubim”

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The reviews for this CD continue coming in!

PaTRAM Institute™ is extremely pleased with yet another review for their newest CD, “More Honourable than the Cherubim”. This week’s review comes from Daniel Morrison of Fanfare Magazine, a prominent classical music periodical.

Mr. Morrison writes:  “The music on all of these recordings is of sublime beauty and expressivity, and one does not have to be a religious person, as I am not, to be profoundly moved and entranced by it.” We urge our listeners to read the full review for complete context.

To receive this kind of response from someone who neither attends services at an Orthodox church nor considers himself to be religious is truly an achievement. He is not alone in that reaction. Some of our most ardent supporters and donors are deeply moved by and appreciate the beauty of the music outside of its context.

We urge our listeners to consider supporting PaTRAM Institute by purchasing a digital download, physical CD or enjoy streaming this album and all PaTRAM music at most mainstream outlets.

PaTRAM would also LOVE to hear from our listeners and supporters. If your CD purchase is on Amazon please don’t forget to post a review there, too! We would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you again for your support.

The Great Reviews Keep Coming For PaTRAM’s “More Honourable than the Cherubim”

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The great reviews continue to roll in!

PaTRAM Institute™ is ecstatic at the reviews coming in for their newest CD, “More Honourable than the Cherubim”. This week’s review comes from James Altena of Fanfare Magazine, a prominent classical music periodical.

Mr. Altena writes:  “Above all, there is the palpable belief and devotion with which all the singers invest their efforts; this is for them not merely music, but prayer and praise to God.” We urge our listeners to read the full review for complete context.

This is one of the MOST important aspects of PaTRAM recordings, that is, to not only have the highest quality of singers, conductors and production but to bring across the feeling of devotion that the composers intended. That is what separates PaTRAM’s work from most other recordings.

We urge our listeners to consider supporting PaTRAM Institute by purchasing this CD at most mainstream outlets.

PaTRAM would also LOVE to hear from our listeners and supporters. If your CD purchase is on Amazon please don’t forget to post a review there, too! We would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you again for your support.

The Positive Reviews Continue For PaTRAM’s “More Honourable than the Cherubim”

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PaTRAM Institute™ can barely contain their joy seeing more and more positive reviews coming in for their newest CD.

 

This week’s review comes Henry Fogel of Fanfare Magazine, a well-known and respected classical music periodical in the US.

Mr. Fogel writes, “The first quality that one notices in this choir is the sensitivity of the balancing and blending of voices.” He goes on to say, “A unique feature of this recording is the inclusion of nine octavists in the ensemble. An octavist is a singer with an extremely low bass voice, extending below the traditional bass register. It is to PaTRAM’s credit and to conductor Vladimir Gorbik that at no point is our attention distracted by this remarkable feature—the octavists become part of the ensemble and add just a touch more firm foundation to the sound.”

We urge our listeners to read the full review for complete context.

We urge our listeners to consider supporting PaTRAM Institute by purchasing this CD at most mainstream outlets.

PaTRAM would also LOVE to hear from our listeners and supporters. If your CD purchase is on Amazon please don’t forget to post a review there, too! We would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you again for your support.

More Stellar Reviews Being Published For PaTRAM’s “More Honourable than the Cherubim”

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The raves continue!

PaTRAM Institute™ is ecstatic at the reviews coming in for their newest CD, “More Honourable than the Cherubim”. This week’s review comes from Daniel Jaffe of BBC Music Magazine, a prominent classical music periodical in the UK.

Referring to the CD track of Rachmaninov’s ”V molitvakh neusïlayushchuyu Bogoroditsy”, Mr. Jaffe writes, “The superb performance of this, and indeed the entire programme, makes this an outstanding album all round.” We urge our listeners to read the full review for complete context.

With PaTRAM’s new recording company, UK-based Chandos Records, this recording is getting more buzz in the UK than with their prior CDs. There are many Orthodox believers in the UK and hopefully this will fulfill their interests in prayerful, traditional Orthodox sacred music. As Mr. Jaffe also stated, “There’s no shortage of Orthodox choral discs, but here is one worth adding to anyone’s collection.”

We urge our listeners to consider supporting PaTRAM Institute by purchasing this CD at most mainstream outlets.