Baltic Voices 1

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This remarkable collection of choral music by Baltic composers opens our ears to both their similarities and differences. There are folk influences aplenty (from Veijo Tormis in particular), but also some surprises. Sven-David Sandstrom's "Hear my prayer" takes Purcell's piece of the same name as a jumping-off point, and although his treatment is modern, the lamentation remains vivid. Arvo Part's history of Jesus' genealogy, sung in English, is almost fun in its seemingly endless repetition of "which was the son of," while Rautavaara's four-part, seven-minute Lorca Suite is a fascinating study in miniatures. Vasks's "Dona nobis pacem" (the only piece with orchestral accompaniment) has a hypnotic downward vocal sequence that contrasts with the rising strings. The other works hold the interest as well, and the ubiquitous and gifted Paul Hillier leads the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir in lush performances. Fans of the great Eastern choral tradition won't want to miss this. --Robert Levine

Baltic Voices 1, Music, Arvo Pärt, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Veljo Tormis, Peteris Vasks, Sven-David Sandstrøm, Cyrillus Kreek, Paul Hillier, The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Choral, Choral Music, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Classical Vocals, Miscellaneous, Sacred Choral Music a capella, Secular Choral Music a capella

Baltic Voices 1 / Kreek Sandstrom / Rautavaara / Part / Vasks
Average customer rating:

Great 20th century choral music

Some enchanting music

Impeccable performances, soothing music

Ethereally amazing

Not great...

Baltic Voices 1 / Kreek Sandstrom / Rautavaara / Part / Vasks
The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Baltic Voices 2

Baltic Voices 3

The Powers of Heaven: Orthodox Music of the 17th & 18th Centuries

Arvo Pärt: Da pacem

Veljo Tormis: Litany to Thunder

ASIN: B00006RNHD
Release Date: 2003-02-11

Tracks:

Cyrillus Kreek (from Psalms of David, 1923): Psalm 104 (Bless the Lord, O my soul)
Happy is the Man (from Psalms 1, 2 & 3)
Psalm 141 (O Lord, I call to Thee)
Psalm 121 (The sun will not strike you by day)
Hear my prayer, O Lord (1986), after Henry Purcell (Sven-David Sandstr
Einojuhani Rautavaara: Lorca Suite Op. 72 (1973): Cancie jinete (The Rider)
El Grito (The Scream)
La luna asoma (The Moon)
Malague
Veljo Tormis: Latvian Bourdon Songs (1982): Garais sauciens (Song of meeting)
Rota dziesma (Spring song)
Kazu apdzieda\232anas (Wedding song contest)
Seru dziesma (Funeral song)
Linu druva (The Flax field)
Ligo dziesma (Midsummer song)
Sven-David Sandstrs ist genug (It is enough) (1986)
Arvo P: ...which was the son of... (2000)
Peteris Vasks: Dona nobis pacem (Grant us peace) (1996/97)

Amazon.com

This remarkable collection of choral music by Baltic composers opens our ears to both their similarities and differences. There are folk influences aplenty (from Veijo Tormis in particular), but also some surprises. Sven-David Sandstrom's "Hear my prayer" takes Purcell's piece of the same name as a jumping-off point, and although his treatment is modern, the lamentation remains vivid. Arvo Part's history of Jesus' genealogy, sung in English, is almost fun in its seemingly endless repetition of "which was the son of," while Rautavaara's four-part, seven-minute Lorca Suite is a fascinating study in miniatures. Vasks's "Dona nobis pacem" (the only piece with orchestral accompaniment) has a hypnotic downward vocal sequence that contrasts with the rising strings. The other works hold the interest as well, and the ubiquitous and gifted Paul Hillier leads the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir in lush performances. Fans of the great Eastern choral tradition won't want to miss this. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Great 20th century choral music.......2007-02-07

This first volume of Baltic Voices, performed by the highly acclaimed Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, is a pure enjoyment for any fans of choral music as well as those interested in folk music. All pieces on this CD were pretty much written in the 20th century, starting with Cyrillus Kreek's enchanting Psalms of David (1923), sung in Estonian, and ending with Arvo Pärt's world premiere recording of "...which was the son of..." (2000)-- a fascinating, yet simple, depiction of the geneaology of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke (performed in English). Veljo Tormis does a beautiful job blending the old folk music themes with some new motives in the Latvian Bourdon Songs (1982). And there is much more to discover from other composers... The singing, the sound, and the recording are simply beautiful. The accompanying booklet offers additional details as well as translations.

Some enchanting music.......2006-12-08

Several tracks on this album are absolutely incredible.

I heard the first track (Bless the Lord, O My Soul) by chance on NPR one evening and was immediately spellbound by its unique phrasing.

The last track (Dona Nobis Pacem), aided by a climactic interplay of voice and string, stung me with a beautiful sensation which reaffirmed to my soul that music captures the reason for being alive.

As a newcomer to choral music, I cannot compare this work to many others. However, I can wholeheartedly declare that this album will appeal to those that kneel in humility to the beauty of the human voice.

Impeccable performances, soothing music.......2005-05-26

The very first time I heard a recording from this CD was on NPR several years ago, and it featured excerpts from the Cyrillus Kreek piece. Needless to say, I was in awe of what I heard and consequently had to get the CD. It was one of the most worthwhile purchases I ever made!

The choir performs with ubiquitous energy and notable vigor when a selection would require it. Furthermore, there are many contrasting works featured on this disc, from the ethereal Cyrillus Kreek selection, to the folk-inspired Spring Song and other, more avant-garde repertoire.

It may be the case that one will not instantly fall in love with every single track on this disc, but I would make a case for the fact that there are a number of universally appealing choral works on this disc that, next to the somewhat affordable price, would certainly warrant the purchase!

Ethereally amazing.......2004-07-02

Many composers from Baltic countries round out this incredible compact disc, sung by a collection of excellent voices. The vocal blending is tremendous, despite isolation of the voices over several parts in, at times, serious dissonance. The music is so haunting, I must say I've listened to it nearly every day since I bought it. I witnessed their concert in Houghton, New York last fall, and immediately bought both this CD and the Powers of Heaven.

Not great..........2004-03-17

Full choral sound, sounding very strident at times. Oddly, the recorded singing sounds distinctly enhanced, giving it a less than natural sound. The repertoire represented on this CD is hit and miss - some good, some unremarkable.

Average customer rating:

Baltic Voices 1 [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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Baltic Voices 2 - Choral Works - Paul Hillier leads the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir [Hybrid SACD]
Baltic Voices 3 [Hybrid SACD]

ASIN: B0000B003M
Release Date: 2003-11-11

Tracks:

Psalm 104: Bless The Lord, O My Soul
Psalms 1, 2 & 3: Happy Is The Man
Psalm 141: O Lord, I Call To Thee
Psalm 121: The Sun Will Not Strike You By Day
Hear My Prayer, O Lord
Cancion De Jinete
El Grito
La Luna Asoma
Malaguena
Song Of Meeting
Spring Song
Wedding Song Contest
Funeral Song
The Flax Field
Midsummer Song
It Is Enough
Which Was The Song Of...
Grant Us Peace

Average customer rating:

Keeping the standard high
They've done it again!

Baltic Voices 2

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Baltic Voices 1 / Kreek Sandstrom / Rautavaara / Part / Vasks
Baltic Voices 3
The Powers of Heaven: Orthodox Music of the 17th & 18th Centuries
Arvo Pärt: Da pacem
Veljo Tormis: Litany to Thunder

ASIN: B0002CHHE8
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

I Surrexit Christus
II Omnis Una
IV Benedicamus
XXIII Oremus
XIX Confitemini Domino
And Then In Silence There With Me Be Only You
Winter Hymn
Lord, Have Mercy
Ode 1
Odes 7-8
Kondakion
Ikos
O Holy Virgin, Rejoice
O Lord, Jesus Christ
Our Father In Heaven

Customer Reviews:

Keeping the standard high.......2005-05-26

It was a long time ago since I purchased the first volume of the Baltic Voices series with Paul Hillier and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir; it was thus with great enthusiasm that I purchased Vol. 2, and my expectations were enthusiastically met. I can wholeheartedly second reviewer J D Wilder's positive review, and would recommend any person who appreciates choral music in all its forms to obtain this CD.

My favorites are the Winter Hymn, the Grigorjeva and the Schnittke selections, though the other tracks featured on this disc deserve acclaim just as much, if only for the fact that the choir performs indefatigably throughout! If you are looking for choir music that emulates a variety of moods and never really ceases to be ethereal and relaxing, I highly recommend this CD. And if you have started with Vol. 1 of the series, the purchase of this CD is practically not up for debate.

They've done it again!.......2005-03-12

The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir with Paul Hillier was memorable in the first Baltic Voices recording, so it would be hard to say that they have outdone themselves, but they have come close. They have discovered many composers-many very worthy composers-to the world in this recording. The Choir is brilliant and the very talented Mr. Hillier puts them to excellent use. They can make anything sound good, but with this music, they almost don't need to try. The music by Galina Grigorjeva was the most stunning, but I also found the Schnittke delightful. These two recordings are for anyone who wants to hear the beautiful things going on in modern choral music.

Baltic Voices 2 - Choral Works - Paul Hillier leads the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Baltic Voices 2 - Choral Works - Paul Hillier leads the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items: