The “Vesna” Children’s Choir of Moscow, comprised of 50 select voices ages 6 to 14, is undoubtedly one of the best children’s choirs in the world. Their singing is fully professional, artistic, polished—outstanding in every respect! Unlike the “showcase socialist” institutions of the Soviet era, this choir exists as a private “cooperative” music school, run jointly by the children, their families, and the staff. Since their founding, however, they have received official support and recognition from the Russian government. The music on this album, Ephrem Podgaits’ (b. 1949) Spring Mass, a Latin setting of the Roman Catholic Mass for choir and organ, which premiered in 1997. Although it presents the Mass elements in a somewhat non-traditional order (e. g., Sanctus, Agnus, Benedictus, Kyrie, etc.), this is clearly a piece that represents a major addition to the concert Mass repertoire.
