Missa A Cappella; Sacred Choral Works
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RAUTAVAARA
Missa A Cappella; Sacred Choral Works
Latvian Radio Choir, Sigvards Kļava
[ Ondine / CD ]
Release Date: Tuesday 1 October 2013
This item is currently out of stock. We expect to be able to supply it to you within 2 - 4 weeks from when you place your order.
Ondine continues its long-term collaboration with Einojuhani Rautavaara with the world première recording of his Missa a cappella.
Einojuhani Rautavaara - a self-described "mythstic" - has written a considerable amount of sacred music, including works in the Lutheran, Catholic and Orthodox traditions. His Missa a cappella is one of his most significant recent works, and is here recorded alongside extracts of the Vigilia - his most extensive sacred choral work - his Missa duodecanonica, and a number of smaller sacred choral works.
The Latvian Radio Choir is one of the top chamber choirs in Europe, praised by Gramophone as "an outstanding body of singers". As a "sound laboratory", the singers investigate alternative techniques to enhance their vocal skills - from traditional methods to the art of quartertone and overtone singing.
Under the direction of Sigvards Kļava, the Latvian Radio Choir has become an internationally acclaimed and vocally distinctive ensemble, constantly searching for new ideas. Under his guidance, the choir has recorded a several works by lesser-known composers, and have collaborated with a number of notable Latvian composers.
"This is an excellent anthology of Rautavaara's choral music...The musical vocabulary here is in some ways austere and complex...but it is never dry and offers plenty of opportunity for the sheer beauty of the shining choral effects at which Rautavaara is a master." (International Record review)
"The Latvian Radio Choir provide a polished account, catching the idiom nicely, although there are moments of discomfort in the Sanctus's solo passages...The most immediately appealing pieces are Psalm of Invocation and Evening Hymn" Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2013
"The Latvian Radio Choir is a professional choir comprising, it seems from the booklet photograph, some 25 singers. They sing formidably under Sigvards Kļava, their chief conductor since 1992. The depth of tone is such that frequently one could believe that one is hearing a larger ensemble. The tonal quality of the choir is marvellous, whether they are singing softly or loudly. The Finnish choirs served Rautavaara extremely well in the aforementioned collection of recordings but here their Latvian colleagues are equally impressive advocates for his music. It's regrettable that there's such a degree of overlap. On the other hand, all admirers of this composer will surely want to have this splendid recording of his new Mass and anyone else who is interested in the choral music of our time should hear it also." (MusicWeb Oct 2013)
Tracks:
Missa A Cappella
Psalm Of Invocation
Ehtoohymni (Evening hymn)
Missa Duodecanonica
Ave Maria
Canticum Mariae virginis
Our joyful'st feast 'When icicles hang by the wall'
Die erste Elegie
