The Male Choir of the Holy Trinity-St Sergius Monastery Representation Church (Metochion) has established itself as one of the finest men's choirs currently in Russia. To call their singing "impeccable" is by no means an overstatement--for it indeed achieves the highest levels of perfection not only in terms of pure choral technique, but also by the sense of taste and measure that characterizes their interpretations. Amazingly, they attain their artistry not in the controlled environment of a recording studio, but on stage in a concert setting. In this live recording, made in 2008 in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, they sing a both Lenten standards--hymns such as Vedel's famous "Open to me the doors of repentance" (Pokayaniya), as well as concertos by Bortniansky and Berezovsky, arranged for men's chorus, that fit the penitential theme of "Forgiveness Sunday." Even the most avid collector of Orthodox recordings has never heard these works performed with such subtlety, gracefulness, and purity of sound. This recording will make an extraordinary addition to any library of choral music. Titles and an introductory article are in Russian and English.--V.M.
