Orthodox Singers

biography

The vocal ensemble was founded in 1989 by Valery Petrov and over the past 16 years, has established a reputation as one of the finest professional choral ensembles in Estonia. It has received awards at several international competitions and participates frequently in various European music festivals. The ensemble consists of professional musicians who are proficient in the performance practice styles of various epochs.

The ensemble's manner of performance is characterized by profound attention to every word in a sacred text, flawless vocal production, a carefully thought out dynamic plan, and an extraordinary sense of style. Critics have repeatedly singled out the ensemble's uncanny ability to preserve a work's unity of form in the course of a performance, while maintaining a matchless piano dynamic that resembles the "melting away of sound."

The primary creative focus of the choir is early Orthodox chant, which is rarely heard in concert performances. Their repertoire also includes great works of Russian sacred choral literature: compositions by Pavel Chesnokov, Alexander Arkhangelsky, and Sergei Rachmaninoff, as well as arrangements of Russian folk songs of a spiritual nature. In the last several years, the ensemble's repertoire has also come to include the music of contemporary Orthodox composers, among them Sir John Tavener, Valery Kalistratov, and Arvo Pärt.
Arvo Pärt's music from the Canon Pokajanen serves as the basis for a musical mystery play The Passion According to Andrew, which features an artistic representation of a secret night-time liturgy of early Christians in the Roman catacombs. The ensemble's concert programs also include music of Estonian composers Kirillus Kreek, Kuldar Sink and Veljo Tormis.

The ORTHODOX SINGERS have toured Russia, the USA, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Lebanon, Hungary, Bulgaria and Poland on several occasions, performances in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow; the Dome Cathedral, Uppsala, Sweden; the Great Hall of the Tchaikovsky Conservatoire, Moscow; the Philadelphia Cathedral, Philadelphia, USA; the Stratford upon Avon Festival and the Nottingham Festival.

Members of the ensemble:

I Soprano - Tatjana Samsonova
I Soprano – Larisa Fahredinova
II Soprano – Maria Shugailo
I Alto – Zoja Tumanova
II Alto – Julianna Juganson
II Alto  - Jelena Babin
I Tenor – Anton Medvedev
II Tenor – Stanislav Maksimov
I Bass – Grigori-Kazimir Seliverstov
II Bass – Genri Tron
II Bass – Aleksandr Peljovin

Einspielung

TRO-CD 01432 - Contemporary music from Estonia - 18,00 €

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