RACHMANINOFFTCHAIKOVSKYSVIRIDOV
“This is the best–the best–compilation of standard Russian sacred choral music that I have ever heard.”American Record Guide

Sacred Songs of Russiaportrays the musical legacy of the Russian people, which comes as a response to the depth of their faith. Among the noteworthy works on this recording, which contains previously released material, are two stirring works by Rachmaninoff includingBogoroditse Devo(Rejoice, O Virgin) from his “All Night Vigil,” Opus 37, andV molitvah(The Mother of God, ever-vigilant in prayer). Perhaps most significant are the Three Choruses of Georgy Sviridov (1915-1998), composed during a time when sacred music was still actively suppressed by the Soviet regime. The three works by Peter Tchaikovsky,Milost’ mira(A Mercy of Peace),Angel Vopiyashe(The Angel cried), andHymn in Honor of SS. Cyril and Methodius, are also strong statements of the Russian faith and expression through music.

Gloriae Dei Cantores first toured Russia (then part of the U.S.S.R.) in the spring of 1990, to re-introduce Russian sacred choral music to their concert halls for the first time since the Russian Revolution of 1917, and participated in several liturgies of the Russian Orthodox Church. At the request of Metropolitan Alexy of Leningrad,(who later became Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia) Gloriae Dei Cantores toured Russia a total of three times, returning in 1992 and 1998 to sing in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and throughout the Golden Ring. Gloriae Dei Cantores wasalso among the first Western artistic groups to tour Siberia.