Pizzicato

Divine Arts concludes its series dedicated to the Russian composer Vyacheslav Artyomov with two recent studio recordings of his symphony In Spe and his Latin Hymns. In Spe, a symphony for violin, cello and orchestra, is a rather extroverted, dramatic and for the composer extremely good-humoured work. Very rhythmic, very rich in contrast and brightly coloured, it is, as the booklet says, to be regarded as consolation in a world full of suffering. The four-part cycle Latin Hymns for soprano, choir and strings has a clearly religious connection. The composer uses the solo voice in a very original way, setting it against the commenting choir. With colouristic accents, a fascinating play of shadows and light and sometimes ethereal sounds, it is a work of great emotional spirituality, as well performed as In Spe.

—Remy Franck