Ancient Echoes: Russian Choral Music

Several years ago a close relative gave me Ancient Echoes as a gift and I’ve treasured this rich music ever since.  I likely would have missed this CD had it not been a gift.  It is one I highly recommend you add to your collection, particularly if you enjoy inspiring choral music.

Here are two reviews I pulled off Amazon.

“The members of Chorovaya Akademia are all graduates of music conservatories. Their singing shows it. It is clear and precise, not to mention of the highest quality. Some of the Russian choral albums I have (e.g., the Monks of Zagorsk; the Yale Russian chorus) have shown sloppiness in their articulation and harmonies. Not this group. This album is by far the best of the 40 or 50 Russian choral albums in my collection. It is the standard by which to measure all others.”

“I bought this CD a couple of years ago and, unlike many of my CDs, I still listen to this one regularly.  I love this music – it is incredible and I never seem to tire of it. This is an all male A cappella choir with an incredible range of voices. It is so spiritual and moving for me, and I’m not a religious person. Every time I listen to this CD, I am stunned by how powerful this music is! The recording is very good – a very spacious, well recorded CD, with great ambiance. Listening to this CD is truly a spiritual experience! All I can think of to say is, “God, this CD is fabulous!”.  Just play this CD, turn down the lights, sit back in your chair, close your eyes, and listen to this incredible music.”

Here is one cut that will give you a flavor of this music.

Photograph:  If you look closely, there are one or two small tiles below Christ’s right eye that shows up as a tear when the light strikes the tiles just right.  Our guide pointed this out and I was lucky enough to capture the light at the right time.