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«Arkhangelsk Chorus Singing» / vinil record 1983/ перевод на английский язык - Лигинченко Л.М. монтаж - Новак Ф. размещение Ютуб канале - Скачков К. In memory of our singing-masters, Vladimir and Svetlana Maximkov (1938 - 2021). In 1984 State Recording Firm “Melody” issued a record comprising a number of works by Russian composers of the 19th-20th centuries and some musical pieces by V.A. Mozart performed by the Arkhangelsk City Amateur Choir (Arkhangelsk Capella) with the Chamber Orchestra (Leningrad-St. Petersburg Conservatoire). The Art Leader and Conductor of the Choir was Vladimir Maximkov (1960-2021). Side I includes: Ave, Verum Corpus – W.A. Mozart /Motet/ KV618 – , Sancta Maria, Mater Dei – W.A. Mozart /Graduale/ KV273 – , Hymn to the Sun – W.A. Mozart /Cantata/ KV429 – (Text in Russian – ) Solo – T. Muratova (Leningrad Glinka Capella) Chamber Orchestra of Leningrad Conservatoire. Side II includes: Wishing Many Years – (Moscovsky Chant) – , Petrovsky Chant – (Unknown author, lyric – M. Lomonosov) – , Choral Concerto – (Unknown author XVIII cent.) – , Gnomes – (A. Rubinstein, lyric – unknown) – , Waters – (Cesar Cui, lyric – F. Sologub) – , The Song – ( A. Egorov, lyric – A. Koltzov) – , Annushka – (V. Voloshinov, lyric – I. Utkin) – , The Fair – (B. Kravchenko, lyric – V. Tzybin) – , The Bell – (Russian folk song, arrangement by ) Solo – V. Zenovsky. This recording was dedicated to the400th anniversary of the city of Arkhangelsk that was celebrated in 1984. For more than 60 years the Choir has been keeping and developing the national choral singing tradition. All the achievements of the Choir have been inseparably linked with V. Maximkov, Professor of St. Petersburg Conservatoire, the Honoured Art Worker of Russia. Most of the singers are great enthusiasts who are fond of singing and always ready to work and to go beyond. The recording is a good illustration of the versatile repertoire of the Choir. Works of Russian and Soviet Composers represent continuity and vitality of national choral tradition. One of the most ancient examples is Moscovsky Chant “Wishing Many Years.” Arkhangelsk happened to be the first sea-port of Russia due to Peter the Great. “Petrovsky Chant” commemorates the epoch of this outstanding personality. The repertoire of the Choir is rich in the pearls of Russian sacred music, particularly, choral concertos, first of all, by D. Bortnyansky, M. Berezovsky and many others. This record, however, presents a masterpiece of an unknown author of the XVIII century. Russian classical music of the XIX century is represented by the works of A. Rubinstein and C. Cui. “Gnomes” by A. Rubinstein is a brilliant scherzo, lightly and brightly coloured. “Waters” by C. Cui is remarkable for its sentimental and graceful melody streaming as if a tiny brook. From a wide variety of the Soviet repertoire a few songs of Leningrad composers were chosen for recording: A. Egorov(1887-1959), V. Voloshinov (1905-1960) and B. Kravchenko (1929-1979). They belong to different generations which is reflected in their musical language. “The Song” by A. Egorov seems to be flowing from the very soul, wistfully and exaltedly. The choral ballade “Annushka” is a kind of expressive dialogue of female and male voices, while laconism and picturesqueness of the lyric create a striking picture of people’s grief. This part of the record is concluded by B. Kravchenko’s ‘Fair’, a bright and vivid picture, clear and festive. Throughout all the period of its creative activity the Choir has performed quite a number of compositions by V.A. Mozart. The recording represents his three works. Motet “Ave, Verum Corpus” is marked by surprising harmony of bright spirit and warm lyrical feeling. Restrained exultation, light and lively musical tempo of “Sancta Maria, Mater Dei” remind of another symbol of youthful femininity and motherhood – images of Raphael’s Madonna. In Cantata “Hymn to the Sun” the central part sung by T. Muratova is framed by chorus singing, filled with radiant rejoicing mood and delight before the eternal luminary – the source of life on the Earth. The Arkhangelsk City Amateur Choir is a worthy representative of cultural life in the ancient centre of Russian North continuing the renowned traditions of Russian chorus singing art. Elena Sergievskaya, musicologist / 1983
