Tenebrae Consort, Nigel Short – Russian Treasures

Russian Treasures is the 20th album from award-winning professional choir, Tenebrae, and the first release on new label Bene Arte, established exclusively to record the choir and associated artists. Russian choral music has been a feature in Tenebrae's concert performances since the choir's inception and over the years they have worked extensively with Russian language coaches whilst nurturing their own characteristics of passion and precision to deliver a special and heartfelt tribute to the music of these great composers.

This disc was inspired by the rare manuscripts collected by director Nigel Short during his travels around Russia. The exquisite collection includes some little-known gems, rarely heard outside Russia and never before recorded in the UK, as well as some familiar favourites from this vast area of choral repertoire. Award–winning Tenebrae has established itself as the chamber choir of choice for critics and audiences in the UK and around the world. Founded and directed by Nigel Short, the group blends the passion of a large Cathedral choir with the precision of a chamber ensemble to create a unique and enchanting sound, one which is as dazzlingly effective in mediaeval chant as it is in contemporary works. As the first ever group to be multi–nominated in the same category for the BBC Music Magazine Awards (2012), their recording of Victoria's Requiem secured the accolade for Best Choral Performance. Their recent recording of the Fauré Requiem with the London Symphony Orchestra was nominated for the 2013 Gramophone Awards, having been described as “the very best Fauré Requiem on disc”.