Giya Kancheli (1935-)

1-7  Styx (1999) (35.46)

solo viola, mixed choir and orchestra

 

John Tavener (1944- )

8- 13  The Myrrh- Bearer (1993)* (41.56)

solo viola, chorus and percussion

world première recording

 

Maxim Rysanov - viola

Rihards Zalupe - percussion*

Chorus 'Kamēr…'Men of the State Choir Latvija*

Liepāja Symphony Orchestra / Māris Sirmais

 

Total time 77.42

 

"My rival has arrived!" Yuri Bashmet purportedly exclaimed, when asked about Maxim Rysanov. 28 year-old Maxim, like Bashmet is from the Ukraine: earlier this year his Avie recital disc was named Editors ‘Choice in Gramophone and raved about in Fanfare; later this year he stars on a duet disc with Janine Jansen on Decca and tours with Rachlin and Maisky in Bach’s Goldberg Variations. His other regular chamber partners include Vengerov, Kremer, Mullova, Hamelin…!! He is just announced as a BBC Young Generation Artist 2007-8.

 

Rysanov’s ONYX debut is of two extraordinarily beautiful and haunting works for viola and chorus/orchestra: both written for Bashmet, and the Tavener is a world-première recording!

 

Giya Kancheli’s Styx is already renowned as a choral masterpiece for the 21st century, The River Styx in Greek mythology separates the living from the dead and the solo viola mediates between the two.

Sample track 6 for one of the biggest most gorgeous climaxes in all classical music! This music is ideal for radio play and makes an immediate emotional impact – don’t wait- play it now!

 

John Tavener’s The Myrrh-Bearer is another epic, this time based on the Troparion of Cassiane, a Byzantine poet and composer. Here the viola represents the sin of Mary Magdalen. Both works were recorded in the amazing Dome Cathedral in Riga, Latvia, the largest medieval church in the Baltics,  has just the right expansive acoustic to make this music work.

 

ONYX ONYX4023