CD Details: Christmas in Russia - Demo TRACK LISTING

The fall of Communism in Russia made possible the resurrection of the Don Cossacks' identity in their homeland along the Don River. In 1992, the Don Cossack Choir of Russia was re-established, under the direction of Dutchman Marcel Verhoeff, who has been their conductor since 1993.

On this brand new CD, recorded in 2008, the choir manifests artistic growth to a high level of professionalism: their singing is tuneful, well-nuanced, both artful and, in most instances, appropriately reverent. There is also some of the vocal display and drama for which Serge Jaroff's Don Cossacks were famous. The recording includes many liturgical details of the Christmas Eve Vigil service--introductory readings, the litanies, which are executed by Moscow-area clergy who are themselves talented vocalists. The booklet contains texts in Church Slavonic and English translation, and liner notes in English, French, and German.