Canticles and Prayers was Georgy Sviridov's last work, remaining incomplete at the time of his death in 1998.
Performer Biography
The Latvian Radio Choir (LRC) is considered among the top professional chamber choirs in Europe, known for its refined taste and vocal range.
Composer Biography
Georgy Sviridov, the composer, was described as a 'great national master' by Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Georgy Sviridov's reading of the canonical liturgical texts was purely artistic, resulting in a work secular in form though spiritual in content.
Performer Biography
Sigvards Kļava, the conductor, has been the Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Latvian Radio Choir since 1992 and is a multiple winner of the Latvian Grand Music Award.
Historical Context
Canticles and Prayers was created during the perestroika years, a turning point in Russian history that ended in the collapse of the Soviet state.
Composer Biography
Georgy Sviridov was raised in a traditional Orthodox family and was familiar with church singing from childhood, as his grandmother took him to services.
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