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.

“More Honourable than the Cherubim” Continues Gaining Ground with Reviewers and Listeners”

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PaTRAM Institute™ is extremely proud of their newest recording and the accolades it’s garnering. MusicWeb International has posted a second review, this one from reviewer John Quinn, who is deeply affected by the sublimity of the music and its performance.

Already there is buzz about being nominated for the MusicWeb International’s Recording of the Year. Very exciting! We urge you to read Mr. Quinn’s full review, as well.

In addition to great reviews, PaTRAM™ is pleased to announce that “More Honourable than the Cherubim” has reached #4 in Amazon’s list of Hottest New Releases in the Opera and Vocal category. We would be honored if our listeners who purchased a CD would kindly write their review, as well.

Join the growing chorus of listeners who, like our critics, are amazed at the beauty of the music and sound of “More Honourable than the Cherubim”. Available on CD, via download and streaming. Here are all the outlets.

PaTRAM™ CD “More Honourable than the Cherubim” Continues To Gain Momentum With Listeners

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These are just some of the comments coming from listeners of the latest PaTRAM Institute Male Choir™ CD.

The new album, “More Honourable than the Cherubim” is receiving play time on radio stations from Alaska to Florida and California to Maine, not to mention, Canada, Australia and the UK. In addition, the CD is playing on the Syndicated channel of PRX/Classical 24, Sirius XM (Symphony Hall channel) and online on YouTube, Passion Musique et Culture, Stage and Cinema as well as MusicWeb International (as we posted last week). The album is even getting airplay on In-Flight, airline music system MOOD-Spafax.

Essentially, this masterpiece is finding airplay via many different outlets. But, one of the MOST popular outlets is Spotify where PaTRAM’s CD has garnered almost 5,000 album streams in the first 7 days of release!

Don’t be left out! Order or download your own copy of “More Honourable than the Cherubim” through a variety of CD Music outlets. You won’t be disappointed.

MusicWeb International Names Latest PaTRAM Institute™ CD, “More Honourable than the Cherubim”, Its RECORDING OF THE MONTH

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Within days of its release, MusicWeb International (an prestigious online classical music magazine) named PaTRAM Institute’s latest CD, “More Honourable than the Cherubim”, its RECORDING OF THE MONTH! An amazing accomplishment given that it was just released on July 30th.

Dan Morgan, the reviewer, said, “Nearly all the works in ‘More Honourable than the Cherubim‘ are new to me, but, as I soon discovered, there’s so much to enjoy here. Indeed, the opener, Petar Dinev’s ‘It Is Truly Meet’ has a purity of tone and certainty of line that augurs well for what’s to come. One of the most striking things about Chesnokov, as revealed in ‘Teach Me Thy Statutes‘, is the sheer strength and consistency of his work. That’s borne out by ‘O Theotokos, We Shall Never Cease Proclaiming’, the first of several contributions to this new collection. Its thrilling weight and amplitude are a pleasing foil to the Dinev; that’s a sign of astute programming. Different again is Gretchaninoff’s ‘Let us Hasten with Fervour’, the burnished, gold-leaf loveliness of this choir sure to ravish the ear and batter the heart. (Such epiphanies move me to say that as much as I admire Pavel Grigorievich’s output, that of Alexander Tikhonovich occupies a very special place in my affections.)

After just a few tracks, it’s clear this is an exceptional release. Gorbik is at once intuitive and inspired, the music-making as finely calibrated as it was in ‘Teach Me Thy Statutes’. As for Blanton Alspaugh, John Newton and Byeong-Joon Hwang’s recording, it scarcely feels like one, the listener transported, without effort, to that votive space. And, having just pledged allegiance to the great Gretchaninoff, it’s Chesnokov who tests my loyalties with ‘Let Us Pray to the Most Holy Theotokos’. The soloist, bass-baritone Mikhail Davydov, is haunting, his voice rising above the choir in fervent prayer. It’s an extraordinary effect that suggests the composer knew just how to use perspectives to dramatic/emotional advantage, as did Hector Berlioz before him. Chesnokov and Davydov return later in the programme with ‘Revealing to Thee the Pre-eternal Counsel’, the sound of which is unusually sumptuous – orchestral, even – the singing full-bodied and impeccably blended.

Those two composers – and Rachmaninoff, of course – are the most accomplished and original ones here. That said, their lesser-known counterparts reveal talents of their own. For instance, Boris Ledkovsky’s ‘We Have No Other Help’ is blessed with some of the most gorgeous colours and cadences I know. Compare that with the deftness and vigour of ‘At Thy Deathless Dormition’, by Stepan Degtiariov, or Sergiy Trubachov’s rather austere ‘Troparion to the “Donskoy” Icon of the Theotokos’, the simplicity of which is strangely moving. In each and every piece, I found myself marvelling at the versatility of this choir; not only that, they respond so warmly – and so readily – to their conductor’s sure and sympathetic guidance. The album draws to a close with a setting of ‘It Is Truly Meet’, by Constantine Schvedov, and Nikolai Uvarov’s ‘The Angel Cried Out’, both of which show these singers at their incisive best. The excellent liner-notes complete this most rewarding and desirable package.

A magnificent release, beautifully conducted, flawlessly sung and incredibly well recorded; indeed, it’s sure to be one of my Recordings of the Year.”

Click to read Dan Morgan’s complete review.

American Record Guide Reviews “Blessed Art Thou among Women”

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As we get closer to the announcements of the 2021 Grammy nominees, on November 24th, another excellent review of the latest PaTRAM™ CD, “Blessed Art Thou among Women”, was posted in the American Record Guide, a highly respected periodical in the classical music world. In fact, it’s the oldest classical music review magazine.

The review was posted in American Record Guide’s September/October 2020 issue, under the title “Russian Hymns to the Mother of God”, and is available by subscription only. With pride we’d like to share it with our subscribers.

We hope you enjoy it.

“Blessed Art Thou among Women” Debuts On the Billboard Charts

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This week, “Blessed Art Thou among Women”, the latest CD from PaTRAM Institute™ debuted at #7 on the Billboard charts!

PaTRAM new CD Blessed are Thou Among Women - Coming Soon!

The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs and albums in the United States and elsewhere. The results are published in Billboard magazine.

In addition to this, the PaTRAM™ YouTube channel has had favorable reactions to this new CD, too, including:

Viola Bear

There is literally nothing on earth like this extremely rare choir. I am a retired cathedral choirmaster, organist, composer, teacher and violist. I have dreamed all my life to hear such a choir.  I am so proud of this group and proud of their work. Blessings and long life from a humble musician here in California, USA.

Poor Man’s Vlog

Been listening to this for hours. I am now a saint.

PaTRAM Institute is very thankful to our listeners and subscribers for their help in making this CD yet another critically acclaimed success.

The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Nominated for a Grammy Award

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We are pleased to announce that The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom has been nominated for a Grammy award for Best Choral Performance! Our heartfelt congratulations to composer Kurt Sander; Maestro Peter Jermihov, Conductor; Executive Producers and singers Alex Lukianov and Katya Lukianov, and all of the members of the PaTRAM™ Institute Singers. We are honored and humbled to be nominated for the second year in a row and be counted among the foremost choral ensembles in the world!

We also wish to extend our warm congratulations to Producer, Blanton Alspaugh, on his nomination for Producer of the Year! Blanton produced The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and our first Grammy-nominated CD, Teach Me Thy Statutes.

The 62nd Grammy Awards will be held in January 2020.

Click below to purchase The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom from various outlets:

Amazon

iTunes

Reference Recordings

Musica Russica

ArkivMusic 

 

 

“The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom” by Kurt Sander Earns More Critical Acclaim

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PaTRAM™ Institute’s most recent CD, The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom by Kurt Sander, continues to grow in popularity with critics and consumers alike. It has consistently ranked in the Top Ten in Opera and Vocal New Releases on Amazon since its release and even reached #11 on the Billboard Traditional Classical Album charts!

James A. Altena from Fanfare, calls the CD “a landmark of sorts in the discography of Eastern Orthodox liturgical music.”

Bill Gatens of American Record Guide noted that, “the performance is superb and the includes the chanting of baritone Kevin Keys as priest and bass Vadim Gan as deacon. His lowest notes almost defy belief.”

In his review for Fanfare, J.F. Weber writes, “the music has a 19th-century warmth of its own that makes this an altogether remarkable experience of Orthodox liturgy.” He also goes on to remark that, “The singers bring a vast dynamic range to the music and exquisite tonal quality throughout.”

John Quinn at MusicWeb International also reviewed the new CD, writing that “the singing is marvelous throughout and I have the sense that the music could not be in better hands than those of conductor Peter Jermihov.” John Quinn also previously reviewed MusicWeb International’s 2018 Recording of the Year, PaTRAM Institute’s Teach Me Thy Statutes.

Finally, Daniel Morrison (Fanfare) writes, “the performance by the PaTRAM Institute Singers [Peter Jermihov, Conductor] is notable for its beautiful, blended tone, excellent intonation, perfect coordination, finely tuned balances, and profound depth of feeling.”

The CD is available for purchase from the following outlets and many other places where music is sold:

–Amazon

–Reference Recordings

–iTunes

–Musica Russica

“Teach Me Thy Statutes” CD – More Solid Reviews

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As more and more reviewers listen to PaTRAM™ Institute’s most recent CD, “Teach Me Thy Statutes”, the more accolades it garners.

Ron Schepper, from Textura (an online music magazine), begins his review by saying, “The rich sonorities generated by the male voices makes for a stirring and oft-haunting result, and even a listener coming to the Russian monastic style of singing for the first time will in all likelihood be captivated by this collection of Orthodox sacred music.”.

John Quinn, who reviewed the CD in a previously published review, also included it in his periodic group listening sessions, MusicWeb’s Listening Studio, added the PaTRAM CD to a premiere group of recordings of classical music. Grouped with a collection of well-known composers, Chesnokov takes his place with those legends via the “Teach Me Thy Statutes” CD.

The music is available from the following outlets: