This third Baltic recording sees the choir joined by the Britten Sinfonia for a rich collection of music from Estonia and latvia. The main work is Kreek’s Notebook where Tõnu Kõrvits (born 1969) pays homage to Cyrillus Kreek while presenting a contemporary view of traditional Estonian folk hymns. Alongside this eight-movement work are pieces by Latvian composers Peteris Plakidis and Arturs Maskats.
The Choir of Royal Holloway's championship of the music of the Baltic countries is a true feather in their cap, as this recording proves once again … these simple, memorable melodies are couched in Kõrvits's lush (but never too lush) arrangements … performances and recording are outstanding (Gramophone)
Kõrvits is euphoniously fanciful, threading together elements of Lutheran hymnody with runic song, and vocal ornamentation with chamber-musical textures … this Baltic compilation is given gently sympathetic performances by the student singers of Royal Holloway College and the Britten Sinfonia under Rupert Gough (BBC Music Magazine)
This album proclaims the excellence of British choral singing and the remarkable quality of contemporary choral music from the Baltic countries. If you think that only indigenous choirs can bring out the best in music from this part of the world, then these magnificent performances, the latest in a Hyperion series, will make you think again … melodies to die for … this is a lovely work that casts its spell immediately. Gough and his forces deliver a spellbinding performance (International Record Review)
Hyperion, June 2012
All Hallows' Gospel Oak
Producer: Adrian Peacock
Engineer: David Hinitt
Released July 2013
