Pearls of Traditional Music
Moscow Academy of Choral Art
Victor Popov, conductor

“The Academy Choir directed by Victor Popov is a unique phenomenon. There is no other such choir in the world!” – Rudolf Barshai, 2002 

Listening to this new release on Delos will confirm the accuracy of Rudolf Barshai’s opinion. On 18 tracks, this superb chorus sings a multiplicity of folk masterpieces; Russian, Georgian and Ukrainian. Some, such as “Nightingale,” “Red Sarafan,” and “The Ural Rowan” are original compositions, showpieces by well-known composers which, over time, have acquired status as folk music. But the authentic Russian songs offered generously on this program cover a wide range of genre and character, from love songs and coach tunes to peasant dances. The emotional range is broad as well, from subtle lyrics to boisterous joy. Each region represented reveals in its music an enriched experience of the uniqueness of its own culture. This celebratory recording must have been a lark for the group selected. One seldom encounters such joy in singing, and the beauty of such a superbly trained chorus in familiar and unfamiliar traditional music. Sumptuous sound from top to bottom, pinpoint accuracy, electrifying virtuosity and great expressiveness. Selections range from old favorites like “Dark Eyes,” the “Volga Boatman’s Song,” and “Kalinka,” to much less familiar gems like “There is a Birch in the Field” (think Tchaikovsky’s use of this theme in his Fourth Symphony.) The true joy in singing is everywhere evident. 
Victor Popov’s Academy of Choral Art, Moscow was founded by him in 1991 as the successor to the Moscow Choral College established in 1944 and led since 1970 by Popov. As well as reviving and perpetuating traditions of early Russian religious music, the Choir is equally at home performing Western European classics and contemporary choral works. Today the Academy includes some 400 singers with a separate Boys’ Choir, Youth Choir, Mixed Adult Chorus and Men’s Chorus. They have toured extensively outside of Russia throughout Western Europe under leading conductors. During November 2007 a selected group from this unique Chorus toured Europe, Mexico, the US and Canada with Dmitri Hvorostovsky, the great Russian baritone, Constantine Orbelian and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra in a program of favorite Russian classic and popular music.
The Ural Rowan * Red Sarafan * Nightingale * Amur Waves * Dark Eyes * Down the Volga River * Dubinushka, the Volga Boatman’s Song * There was a Birch in a Field * On a Hill * Sulike * Oh Oak, My Oak * Sing Martlet, Sing * One Hears the Sound of a Distant Lone Bell * Twelve Robbers * Brooms * Peddlers * The Evening Chime * Kalinka