Sacred Works by Pavel Chesnokov

The choral works of Pavel Chesnokov, Russia's most prolific composer of sacred music, appear on recordings rather frequently. This CD is one of the first to do full justice to this marvelously sonorous and opulent choral music. The sound of the "Domestik" Choir is rich and full, yet smooth and velvety. The nuances are subtle and graceful: one has the feeling that master-conductor Chesnokov would have approved of this interpretation of his music! The recording technique strikes just the right balance between clarity of sound and capturing the rich acoustics of the church where the recording was made. The notes and titles, in Russian and English, are informative and accurately translated; no text translations are given, however. This is a disc that all lovers of fine choral singing will not want to miss!--V.M.