From Russia With Lyadov

Why does a Russian chorus sound 'better' or 'more authentic' when singing Russian music compared to others?

Does American choral music sound better sung by US-based choirs, or European with Europeans? All three have their own regional choral traditions, but I must say Western Music seems to be interchangeable amongst performers to my ears, not that every Western choir uses the same performing style.

Perhaps it is just different; or is this a modern trend? Orchestras are growing to have similar, homogenized sounds, and the choral world certainly sounds different than 50 years ago.

Still, I would take Chernushenko leading Tchaikovsky over a British cathedral choir. Both are well performed, but perhaps I would also prefer the reverse if it were Benjamin Britten. Maybe...

In any case, Lyadov's unknown choral music receives a good shake on this Toccata recording, another label dedicated to recording rare literature. Like Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, Lyadov doesn't push the envelope musically, but when it sounds so lovely, who cares?

These are all native singers, as far as I know, and I can mostly tell through the language rather than the actual singing. There are interpretive choices from Nikiforchin which I would change personally, but it doesn't affect this beautiful choral music. Hopefully there will be more coming.

A review from 2024

If you like the choral music of Tchaikovsky, such as that on Carus and Brilliant, or perhaps even Rachmaninov, chances are this recording of Russian composer Anatol Liadov’s choral works will be right up your alley.

Lyadov’s choral music falls easily on the ears. Most of the recording is set a cappella; the beautiful sacred works at the opening and a series of folksong sets, many of which are for female chorus only.

The final quarter of the program feature a variety of special instruments joining the chorus, such as the four-handed harmonium, two pianos with eight hands, trumpet, harp, etc. These are probably my favorites of the program, for it is evident Lyadov had an orchestral ensemble in mind, here reduced for extended keyboard players.

The Academy of Russian Music Chamber Choir is a lovely, modern sounding Russian vocal ensemble. Their tone is smooth sounding, shorn of the heavy vibrato of old, although one still hears the impressive low end occasionally and an authentic throaty handling of certain vowels. Their balance and tuning is superb, with youthful spirit coming from director Ivan Nikiforchin.

If I had a wont from the vocalists, perhaps a little of the old school style of singing, such as that found with Chernushenko. The singers obviously hail from the Motherland judging by their handling of the language, yet it is also obvious they are following modern trends of choral singing; lithe, smooth singing without a glint of overt heaviness. Sometimes too, Nikiforchin’s direction is less organic or intuitive, than it is a delivery of emphasis and extremes.

But I can hardly complain, as Liadov’s choral music is extremely rare to hear, nonetheless found on record with such strong advocates. One can only hope more will drink from the well. Toccata’s physical media comes with bountiful, footnoted liner notes and wonderful sonics.

Listen on YouTube

Performers:
Academy of Russian Music Chamber Choir
Ivan Nikiforchin, conductor

Label: Toccata
Year: 2021
Total Timing: 67.04

 

Not essential choral music, but for lovers of choir, especially Russian choral music, this will be wonderful.

There is a nice variety of accompanied and a cappella settings, as well as mixed and gender choir settings. A few instruments show up towards the end of the program, and a nice addition they are.

Find more Lyadov recording HERE!