While there are plenty of contestants these days for the top spot in the "who's got the best recording of Rachmaninov Vespers?" competition, one could persuasively argue that this 1993 recording with Nikolai Korniev directing the St. Petersburg Chamber Choir is the best. First, of course, the choir is Russian, which means that they've got the right tone, the right technique, the right intonation, and, best of all, the right basses for the job because no choir anywhere can hit low B flats like Russian basses. Second, the ...
Read More
While there are plenty of contestants these days for the top spot in the "who's got the best recording of Rachmaninov Vespers?" competition, one could persuasively argue that this 1993 recording with Nikolai Korniev directing the St. Petersburg Chamber Choir is the best. First, of course, the choir is Russian, which means that they've got the right tone, the right technique, the right intonation, and, best of all, the right basses for the job because no choir anywhere can hit low B flats like Russian basses. Second, the director is a dedicated choral conductor, which means that he's not using this disc as an audition for recording operas, oratorios, or symphonies, but rather doing it for the sake of the music. Third, the soloists are Russian and in the pure yet rich mezzo soprano of Olga Borodina and the strong yet tender tenor of Vladimir Mostovoy the aching beauty of Rachmaninov's lyrical writing comes through as in few other recordings. Fourth, while all the performers are Russian, the recording is...
Read Less