This recording will be enjoyed by listeners who are interested in new Orthodox music being composed around the world. Young Finnish composer Mikko Sidoroff's (b. 1985) setting of the Orthodox Memorial Service (Panikhida) is beautifully sung by the Chrysostomos Chamber Choir, conducted by the composer. As for the work itself, similar to Pavel Chesnokov's Panihida, opus 39, it seems to be more appropriate for a concert performance than a church service, although portions of it can certainly be sung in a liturgical context. More importantly, it captures a recognizably "Orthodox" musical spirit, which it seeks to express through new and original musical means. The booklet provides information in English and in Finnish about the service, the composer, and the performers, as well as the text translation. |
