ARVO PART
Pärt: Tractus Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Tõnu Kaljuste (conductor) [ ECM New Series / CD - released 10/Nov/2023 ] Tractus emphasizes Arvo Pärt compositions that blend the timbres of string orchestra and choir. New versions predominate, with focused performances from the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under Tõnu Kaljuste's... |
MENDELSSOHN / CYRILLUS KREEK
Psalms Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Daniel Reuss [ Ondine / CD - released 2/Nov/2012 ] "Reuss draws impassioned and mellifluous performances from his Grammy Award-winning choir of 24 voices. Its beautifully blended, creamy tone (especially in the altos) and clarion-like tenors are underpinned by warm basses." (Gramophone) |
SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Rachmaninov: Vespers & Complete All-Night Vigil Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Paul Hillier [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 28/Oct/2022 ] "...from the first notes of this performance by the superb Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir we appreciate the difference between Western and Slavic sound, as a super-deep and resonant bass voice intones the Deacon's gathering words: "Arise! Bless... |
ARVO PART
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Part: Da Pacem Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Paul Hillier (cond) with Christopher Bowers-Broadbent (organ) [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 22/Sep/2006 ] "Another excellent set from Paul Hillier and his remarkable Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. Small wonder that Hillier is on the same wavelength as the Estonian composer - he wrote his biography." Editor's Choice Gramophone Magazine Awards Issue |
ARVO PART
Part: Adam's Lament Latvian Radio Choir, Vox Clamantis, Riga Sinfonietta, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir & Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Tonu Kaljuste [ ECM Records / CD - released 2/Nov/2012 ] GRAMMY WINNER: Best Choral Album 2014 |
MAX REGER / RUDOLF TOBIAS
Choral Works Ene Salumäe (organ) & Siim Selis (piano) / Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Daniel Reuss [ Ondine / CD - released 1/Oct/2013 ] "Stylistically, [Tobias] is a sort of Baltic Bairstow...transcendental without being revolutionary, intimate, not vain, and highly responsive to text and atmosphere. Reger, by contrast, favours more luxuriant textures...the Estonian choristers relish |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Baltic Voices Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Paul Hillier [ Harmonia Mundi / 3 CD - released 26/Jan/2018 ] Paul Hillier was one of the pioneers in exploring the music of the Baltic Countries in the last years of the twentieth century, and has always paid particular attention to their repertory, both sacred and secular. Supported by the grace and fervour... |
FRANZ LISZT / ARVO PART
Liszt: Via Crucis / Pärt: Sacred Choral Works Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Kalle Randalu (piano), Kaspars Putnins (conductor) [ Ondine / CD - released 27/Sep/2019 ] This release by the award-winning Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under the direction of its artistic director and chief conductor Kaspars Putniņš includes Franz Liszt's (1881-1886) mystery-filled religious vocal work Via Crucis as well as four... |
SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Rachmaninov: Liturgy of St John Chrysostom Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir / Kaspars Putniņš [ BIS SACD / CD - released 25/Feb/2022 ] The music of the Russian Orthodox Church was an essential part of Sergei Rachmaninov's musical background. As a boy he was deeply moved by the sound of St Petersburg's cathedral choirs, and phrases reminiscent of liturgical chant permeate his music.... |
ALFRED SCHNITTKE / ARVO PART
Schnittke / Pärt: Choral Works Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Kaspars Putniņš [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 15/Dec/2017 ] "This work has been waiting for choirs able to do this, because the technical challenges are not the most important thing about this music" Gramophone Award WINNER 2018 - Choral |
ALFRED SCHNITTKE / ARVO PART
Schnittke, Pärt - Choral Works 2 Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir Kaspars Putniņš, conductor [ BIS SACD / CD - released 4/Jun/2021 ] "The music of Pärt is stitched into the choir's DNA...The Niguliste's acoustic is Putniņš's trump card, further nourishing the choir's enveloping sonorousness - which he expertly contours to explore Schnittke's subtlety and ear for choral colour" BBC |
BERGMAN / KREEK / SIBELIUS / TORMIS
Baltic Runes Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Paul Hillier [ Harmonia Mundi SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 20/May/2010 ] "The most striking piece is Erik Bergman's "Lapponia", in which the use of wordless phonemes is aptly elemental, with deep lowing beneath scattered snow showers of excited syllables, and a breeze of haunting sussurus which recalls Ligeti." The... |
KREEK / PART / RAUTAVAARA / SANDSTROM / TORMIS / VASKS
Baltic Voices Vol 1 Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir / Paul Hillier [ Harmonia Mundi SACD / SACD - released 1/Oct/2003 ] "pure and impassioned, astounding choral artists." (The Wall Street Journal) - On Hybrid Super Audio CD (SACD) format, presented in full 5.1 surround sound! PLAYABLE ON ANY CD SYSTEM |
GORECKI / MAZULIS / SAARIAHO / AUGUSTINAS / GUDMUNDSEN-HOLMGREEN / etc
Baltic Voices Vol 3 Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir / Paul Hillier [ Harmonia Mundi SACD / SACD - released 1/Dec/2005 ] "Once again Paul Hillier and his Estonian choir provide a varied programme of new choral works by Baltic composers. Despite a wide gamut of styles, each composition has an immediacy that is not always found in contemporary music." Erik Levi - BBC... |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
A New Joy: Orthodox Christmas Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir / Paul Hillier [ Harnmonia Mundi / CD - released 25/Nov/2006 ] This CD, which includes several first recordings of music by Kastalski, Izvekov & others, draws upon the rich treasury of 19th- & 20th-century liturgical hymnography and carols of the Nativity Feast, which were suppressed during the tragic events of... |
TRADITIONAL
A New Joy: Orthodox Christmas Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Paul Hillier [ Harnmonia Mundi / CD - released 12/Dec/2011 ] This CD, which includes several first recordings of music by Kastalski, Izvekov & others, draws upon the rich treasury of 19th- & 20th-century liturgical hymnography and carols of the Nativity Feast, which were suppressed during the tragic events of... |
MACHAUT / O'REGAN / DUFAY / BRYARS
Scattered Rhymes Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Paul Hillier (director), Orlando Consort [ Harmonia Mundi / SACD - released 23/Jun/2008 ] "This collection has actually been programmed with considerable care...with the acoustic of the recording venue effectively becoming an additional element in the performance." (Choral & Song Recording of the Month BBC Music June 2008) |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
The Powers of Heaven: Orthodox Music of the 17th & 18th Centuries The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir / Paul Hillier [ Harmonia Mundi SACD / SACD - released 23/May/2004 ] On Hybrid Super Audio CD (SACD) format, presented in full 5.1 surround sound! PLAYABLE ON ANY CD SYSTEM - "The choir...sing with exceptional blend and purity of tone" (The Absolute Sound) |
ERKKI-SVEN TUUR
Tuur: Awakening (Arkamine) Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir & Sinfonietta Riga, Daniel Reuss [ Ondine / CD - released 20/Feb/2012 ] |