Sheehan’s approach certainly harkens back to longstanding choral traditions in Russia and environs, and as such, there’s often a dark, almost foreboding, ambience to some of the massed lower sonorities he exploits. …

If the underlying foundational element here is the shrouded somber aspect of the Russian soul, as Sheehan also gets into in his essay, he works in a number of other traditions, including minimalism and an American folksong feeling. The result is surprisingly homogeneous, with some really gorgeously burnished choral moments. …

The music on the Blu-ray disc is varied and moving, and Sheehan (who also conducts) elicits a really commendable blend, especially in some of his close harmonies. The added bonus of being able to see the accompanying ritual on the video is a nice extra…

Audio on the Blu-ray disc is top notch, and while this may in fact appeal mostly to those with an interest in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, it should still be enjoyed generally by lovers of well wrought choral music, regardless of whether or not they have this, or indeed any, religious belief. Recommended.