Cherubic Hymn #1

Born in 1934, Vladimir Pleshakov grew up hearing and singing in the choir of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Shanghai, China. Having spent most of his musical career as a concert pianist, he only began writing choral music in 2009, when, after recovery from a serious illness, he began hearing echoes of the sacred church music from his childhood in his head and felt compelled to write them down. Vladimir Pleshakov's "Cherubic Hymn" is written in the best tradition of the Russian pre-Revolutionary choral masters: a serene, other-wordly first section achieved by ever-changing harmonies formed by freely flowing, gently polyphonic vocal parts, which then gives way to a stately, jubilant procession, before dissolving heavenward once again. Premieres of his choral works, in Albany, New York and at Carnegie Hall have evoked enthusiastic responses from listeners and critics: "...stunning choral works. Pleshakov opens the floodgates once more of magnificent sacred works in the great Russian tradition. These glorious compositions are a delightful surprise...The beauty and direct expression hide from the listener the complexity of the counterpoint, melodic flow and rhythm..." --John Paul Keeler, Hudson-Catskill News "ON THE SCENE" Jan. 27-Feb 2, 2012