IVANOFF, VLADIMIR

Metamorphoses · Vladimir Ivanoff

"Miserere, Gregorio Allegri"

In 1771, the famous music historian Charles Burney published an account of his tour in Italy as well as a collection of music for the celebration of Holy Week in the Sistine Chapel, including for the first time Gregorio Allegri's (1582-1652) famous Miserere. The real impact of Allegri's simply structured composition is obviously based on the improvisatory ornamented performance of the voices and the solemn mystical atmosphere of the Sistine chapel liturgy.

Exactly these elements create the present metamorphosis of the famous Miserere. The overwhelming acoustic of the Osnabrück cathedral and the possibility to place the choirs in extreme positions recreate the powerful impression which this message of admonition once had. The original composition seamlessly flows into it's metamorphosis. The improvisatory lightness of the historical performance is recreated for the present age.

Choir director JOHANNES RAHE, cornetto player IAN HARRISON and musicologist, composer and musician VLADIMIR IVANOFF take it as their creative challenge to work on a new acoustic universe. They are influenced by the description of the creation of the world as a continuously changing process in Ovid's Metamorphoses.

They enjoy contemporary interpretations of early music supported by all type of nowadays electronic facilities. Thus the chosen works would change their form, sound and appearance. Their aim is to show compositional and sound elements of these compositions that are not perceptible in a normal concert, at least not at the same sensitive level than in the period in which they were originally conceived.

The Bulgarian born Vladimir Ivanoff is also known as a musical director and producer of the ensembles Sarband, Vox und L'Orient Imaginaire.

Press Reviews:

"How better to greet the new millennium than with prayers of mercy, contrition, and renewal? This CD throbs with Western cathedral tradition and a deep choral glory that elevates the voices of youth beyond maturity. Sparkling brass accents complement the classic oratorio. Present day is represented with five compositions seamlessly interwoven into Allegri´s "Miserere”, still sung during Holy Week as the Pope kneels in prayer while the last of twenty-seven candles burns at dawn. Consistent tone throughout is admirable. From Sistine Chappel cover art through the ethereal sacred states within, solemn peace radiates. Well-suited for highlighting spirituality as 2000´s dawn approaches." (NAPRA Vol.10, No.5, 1999/USA)

"Ivanoff's metmorphosis of Allegri's most famous work provides a post-modern take on the traditions of choral improvisation, morphing different parts of the composition, overlapping others and exploring ghostly vocal sounds to make an atmospheric, often exquisite new piece. In this they are assisted by the excellent acoustics of Osnabrueck cathedral. A solo cornetto contributes another free voice to the texture, reflecting the intense mood of the MISERERE chant and amphasising the soaring quality of its celebrated solo flourishes. If Jan Garbarek's Hilliard Ensemble collaborations (Officium and Mnemosyne) moved your soul, then Ivanoff's vivid choral collages should not disappoint." Classic FM Magazine, July 2001, Andrew Stewart.