Sergey Vassilievich Rachmaninov

The Fairhaven Singers' new disc features a selection of transcendent choral works dedicated to the Virgin Mary, under the direction of Ralph Woodward, and produced by John Rutter. The largely meditative programme of Ave Maria settings spanning four centuries also features Brahms’ radiant Marienlieder and offers a distillation of joy and purity – the perfect tonic. Highlights include the premiere recording of Bob Chilcott's Ave Maria, and diverse choral treasures to suit all tastes, performed with warmth and sparkle.

Boreletti Buitoni artist, Hannes Minnaar studied at the Amsterdam Conservatory and made his international debut as a solo pianist at the Gewandhaus, Leipzig. He has a busy concert schedule performing with Dutch and Flemish Orchestras, but also performs with his own Van Baerle Trio. He was recently described as “A name to watch” by the Observer.

A warm welcome to Alexander Gavrylyuk on Piano Classics!

At only 26, Russian pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk can already boast of an impressive international career. After having won several prestigious competitions (first prize Hamamatsu in Japan at 16, the First Prize A. Rubinstein Competition in 2005) he played with such orchestras as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Russian National Orchestra.

His last recital in the International Piano Series in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw was a triumph and was recorded red hot by Piano Classics immediately after the event.

Gavrylyuk’s technique knows no limits, as is proven in the virtuoso Russian repertoire on this disc, but there is so much more than technique...his shaping of phrases, his boundless palette of pianistic colours, the characterisation of both the melancholic and brutal elements in this music: Gavrylyuk is a true artist.

Rachmaninov loved church music and in his liturgy extensively used intonations of popular vocal music and plain chant, continuing the traditions of his predecessors. This work was first performed in 1910. This performance was recorded at Smolensk Cathedral in 1988.

Here’s a fine conspectus of the Russian choral tradition; its ancient hymns and offices, given new and rich harmonic robes by great Russian composers, and sung by ensembles who have this music in their blood, as indeed they must if its peculiar timbres are to make their haunting effect upon the listener. Clouds of incense swirl around our listening room as we are transported back centuries – whether two or ten – to a style of worship in which beauty is offered to God as an end in itself.