Performer(s): Smirnov, Orthodox Singers Male Choir
On this CD:
1. Verily, He is worthy Composed by Russian Traditional
2. We bow down before Your Cross Composed by P. Goncharov
3. Standing by the Cross Composed by Alexei Fydorovich Lvov
4. We Hymn Thee Composed by Russian Traditional
5. Blessed is the man No. 02 Composed by Pavel Grigor'yevich Chesnokov
6. Do not cast me off in the time of old age (Ne otverzhi mene vo vremya
starosti), for chorus Op 40/5 Composed by Pavel Grigor'yevich Chesnokov
7. Liturgia Domestica for soloists, chorus & orchestra, Op 79 The litany
of supplication Composed by Alexander Tikhonovich Grechaninov
8. Anathema Composed by Russian Traditional
9. Eternal memory Composed by Russian Traditional
10. Many Years Composed by Russian Traditional
11. Work(s) Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
12. Lord of my days Composed by Alexander Tikhonovich Grechaninov
13. God save the Tsar Composed by Alexei Fydorovich Lvov
14. Great and Glorious Is the God of Zion (Kol' slaven nash)
Composed by Dimitry Stepanovich Bortnyansky
15. Legend of the Twelve Brigands Composed by Russian Traditional
16. Oleg the wise Composed by Russian Traditional
I have done a good bit of research on basso profundo's, contrabasses, etc
and these guys seem to be lower than any I've heard. The soloist on "Do
Not Reject Me In My Old Age" has a full voiced G1, below low bass C which
he hits a number of times on the CD. Very amazing recording... good
musically, not the VERY best choir I've ever heard or anything, but
definetly good. Russian music is great, many of the tracks are very dark
musically, but there are some more majestic tracks, and a few tracks that
sound kinda militaristic.
Reviewer: A music fan (East Amherst, NY United States)
The music on this CD won't be to everyone's liking, but the unique sound
of the voice of a "basso profundo" or "octavist"
is a musical rarity that shouldn't be missed. These basses have a gripping
effect, with a timbre resembling that of an organ's pedal tones. These
basses can sing the low A below the bass range. They are, simply,
extraordinarily powerful voices. Savor the unearthly sound of them. Who
knows - you might just get to like Russian polyphonic liturgical chant, as
well.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Wonderful, Powerful, and Slightly Amiss, March 18, 2001
Reviewer: David Klima (Silver Spring, MD USA) - See all my reviews
The 14 Russian voices of the Orthodox Singers male choir do a fine job of
creating what seems to me to be the sound of a true Russian church choir,
singing in a Russian church, maybe 250 years ago. They do not sound "too
good" to be taken for a town's church choir. Extremely low bass notes are
everywhere, especially in Track 6 ("Do Not Reject Me In My Old Age"),
which is a piece composed specifically to highlight "oktavist" voices,
which are voices that sing an octave below the normal bass range. This is
in-line with the title, "Basso Profondo." The basses are powerful, but at
times they sound too metallic for my taste. Sometimes they lack the warm,
blended, perfectly in control, and in place sound, that is associated with
genuine Russian basses, and which forms the true foundation for the sound
of a choir. For a magnificent example of this blended bass sound, I
recommend Chorvaya Akademia's excellent recording, entitled, "Ancient
Echoes."
The tenors in Basso Profondo are usually mellow, fierce, in fine balance,
and beautiful to listen to. But, at rare times, they get too operatic, and
seem a bit out of control. The baritones in Basso Profondo do the best job
of any group of singers on this CD. They are in wonderful balance.
The music varies from sacred hymns to folk songs. I especially enjoy track
2 ("We Bow Down Before Your Cross"), track 3 ("Before Thy Cross"), track
11 ("Song Of Penitence For Russia"), and track 16 ("Oleg The Wise"). I
prefer the tracks which feature the group, and do not feature the Russian
Protodeacon in liturgy, even though I know the Protodeacon is a real part
of this music and its history. Track 16 ("Oleg The Wise") is a great
Russian patriotic song with genuine Russian (or Cossack) militaristic
marching power, and wonderful humor.
My chief complaints about this CD are that the quality of the recording
itself is only good (it is obviously slightly sonically off), and that the
group frequently sounds like an ensemble of voice parts singing at the
same time, rather than a group singing together, as one.
For a genuine listening experience that will take you back to a centuries
old Russian Church, or for any savorer of low bass notes, or for any lover
of Russian choral music, I recommend this tonally askew, somewhat wild,
and lovely CD.
Unique and beautiful, September 18, 2000
Reviewer: "127" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
These voices have to be heard to be believed. Not only do they possess the
lowest notes of any choral singer, but the soloists have such full voices
that the effect is immediately striking. I've heard recordings in which
basses reach low C's and Bb's, but the pitches can barely be heard above a
whisper. These men have full command of those lowest notes. I would love
to hear this group perform live in a cathedral setting.
The quality of the recording is excellent and there is rather a variety of
literature represented, as well. The music includes anonymous ancient
liturgical chant, popular folk songs, and music by well known Russian
choral composers (such as Tchesnokov and Gretchaninov). The notes are
excellent and well researched. We learn, for instance, that God Save the
Tsar, which figures prominently in the famous 1812 Overture, actually
wasn't written until 1833. As the writer says, musical expression takes
precedence of historical accuracy at times.
This CD is of very high quality in a number of ways, but 65 minutes of it
does get a little long. This CD is for anyone interested in choral music,
but limited doses might be the way to enjoy it best.