This album is one of six collaborations between New York Polyphony and BIS Records, a partnership that began in 2012.
Recording & Production
The recording for this album took place in June 2018 at Princeton Abbey in Princeton, New Jersey, USA.
Composer Biography
Cyrillus Kreek, an Estonian composer and choral conductor, is considered by some to be the grandfather of modern Estonian composers due to his teaching, composing, and ethnomusicological work.
Performer Biography
New York Polyphony, founded in 2006, is a leading vocal chamber ensemble known for innovative programming and exploring the intersection of ancient and modern music.
Performer Biography
New York Polyphony has received two GRAMMY nominations and wide acclaim for its work, helping to move early music into the classical mainstream.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Cyrillus Kreek's folk-music collecting activities were contemporaneous with those of Percy Grainger and Béla Bartók, and his creative output prefigures later Estonian composers like Veljo Tormis.
Compositional Technique
Cyrillus Kreek's Taaveti laulud (Psalms of David) incorporate folk techniques such as modal harmony and drone notes with scalar movement, though the melodies are believed to be original.
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