Basso Profondo From Old Russia

Beautiful, Haunting, Awe-Inspiring

Let's be honest, very few recordings we purchase these days really completely impress us to the point of awe. I hadn't experienced that kind of wonder in a long time until I purchased this recording. Not only are these voices extremely low but they are so dark and powerful, they actually sound great singing that low! They are not growling or using vocal-fry, these guys are really that low! Mixed in with the choral works are recitations done by bass soloists as in the Russian Orthodox Mass. After I attended a Romanian Orthodox mass last year I was immediately struck by the power of the music and being a bass myself, the low singing is what most captured my interest. Surrounded by a wonderful choir, these basses shine with great intonation and a huge cavernous sound. Love it May 13, 2008

Basso Profondo from Old Russia

An incredible disc - magnificently recorded - including mainly sacred music from mesmerizing chant to soaring anthem but also a taste of patriotic and popular tunes. The amazing impact of the Russian "Oktavists" has to be heard to be believed. The sound of performers, singing an octave below the normal bass range with clarity and beautiful resonance, has been compared to the 16 foot pedal registration on a magnificent pipe organ. I am a musicologist and conduct classes from time to time on musical appreciation. I have lost count of the number of students who have ask me to get them a copy of this disc after experiencing it during my presentations. If you have never heard the Russian Basso Profondos you are in for a not to be forgotten experience. February 18, 2008

Authentic Russian Music

Have you ever bought folk or choral music from another country & were disappointed with either the recording or non-professional singing? Not so with this near masterpiece. "The Orthodox Singers" male choir from Moscow was formed in 1992 with 14 singers from several churches in Moscow. Several of the choir sing near an octave below the normal bass line & are called "Oktavists". Most of the songs in this recording are sacred with a few popular songs added in for good taste. A few times a solo Oktavist sings in the orthodox deacon style, chanting a sermon or reading while the choir sings the melody. The balance of the songs are done within a standard choral arrangement with several Oktavists singing the lowest note of the chord. I want to rate this CD with a "5" but sometimes the chanting Oktavists lack that extra "Awe" which should cause the fear of God in you. I have "Electrostatic" speakers & was surprised to hear the Oktavists in the panels, which mean the basses sing above 250Hz.

A good buy if you want to hear something different. August 25, 2007

Enjoyment of old Russian liturgical nusic

The Basso Profundo recording reminds one of the recordings of Tibetan Monks in chant and is very stirring. January 9, 2007

Finally, a recording I can sing along with!

As a low bass and wannabe octavist, I really enjoy singing along with this recording. Luckily, I have performed the Rachmaninov "All Night Vigil", Tchaikovshy "Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom", and other works in Old Church Slavonic, so the words are mostly familiar.

I still find it amazing that these singers can make notes in the midrange still sound low! Enjoy! November 4, 2006

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