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With their recording of Alfred Schnittke’s *Psalms of Repentance*, Cappella Amsterdam, conducted by Daniel Reuss, delves into the depths of the human soul. Schnittke composed this intense choral work in 1988 to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the Christianization of Russia, choosing ancient Russian texts about repentance and atonement. The Psalms of Repentance form an impressive cycle in which Schnittke explores a wide range of human emotions and spiritual struggles. Cappella Amsterdam brings this complex layering of emotions to life with a performance that is as impressive as it is understated.
Schnittke’s *Psalms of Repentance* are known for their intense, sometimes dark harmonies and unusual musical structures that challenge the choir to bring out the deepest emotions in the work. From whisper-soft passages to powerful outbursts, Schnittke’s music evokes an almost meditative atmosphere, immersing the listener in a world of reflection and introspection. Cappella Amsterdam succeeds in conveying these powerful emotions in an impressively authentic way, with every note contributing to the intense, spiritual atmosphere.
recognition
This recording of *Psalms of Repentance* has been praised by critics for the care and sensitivity with which Cappella Amsterdam explores the complex soundscapes of Schnittke’s work. Presto Music praises the choir’s depth and clarity, as well as the way they master the musical extremes of Schnittke’s compositions. Cappella Amsterdam’s understated yet intense sound results in a performance that is both powerful and refined, offering the listener a rare glimpse into the spiritual quest that Schnittke captured in this work.
“The singers are just as at home with Schnittke’s tortured canonic writing as they are with the flashes of tonal (or modal) calm and bursts of sunlight.” – Gramophone
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Composer: Alfred Schnittke
Conductor: Daniel Reuss
Label: PENTATONE
Length: approx. 60 minutes
