...svetilen

SVETILEN
Russia

Seven voices sing the soul of Russia

Svetilen was created in 1989 with a goal of perpetuating the tradition of early russian song, sacred and secular, which share the same rich cultural and musical roots. A cappella or accompanied by original instruments such as the "gusli" and the lyre "koliosnaya", the seven Svetilen singers have set their heart on modernising and rejuvenating this Russian choral culture : they adapt, in an original way, choral pieces where the rhythms and harmonies are reflective of their tradition, of the purity of the original sounds as much as the modernity they breath into it.

If one was to describe the ensemble and its singers, two words come to mind : first of all the almost "ethnographic" quality of their sound to interpret sacred music. After much research by their conductor D. Garkavi, it seems that it is this style that prevailed in old Russia, and has been transmitted down the ages by monks and the faithful who had no idea of western musical traditions. It is this soul, this memorable identity that the singers bring us today.

In second place, it is the diversity of repertoire : liturgical music, traditional music in conversation with the present day. This trait is found especially in a shining and sombre interpretation of spiritual chant, adapted by D. Garkavi.

Familiar with the most prestigious place in ancient music in Russia, Svetilen has also performed abroad in European and American tours. They have enthusiastically participated at several productions of the International Festival of Orthodox Music in Moscow, also at distinguished festivals and competitions across Europe : 1997 in Budapest (first prize and the jury's special prize) at Oskarhamn in Sweden (audience prize) and in 2000 in Linz in Austria (silver medal at the First Choral Olympics).

They have released several CDs : "From Christmas to Easter", "Traditional and popular song from old Russia", "From East to West", etc.

The singers : Lioubov Shagalova, Tatiana Vagatcheva, Maria Bogdanova, Sergui Kondratiev, Dmitri Lushkinov, Roman Khodolov, directed by Dmitri Garkavi.

Programme : Early Russian sacred and traditional music.

Concert 1h30 : Friday 29th October - 20h30 - Harfleur Church (76) / Saturday 30th october - 20h30 - Tréauville Church
Gala Concert : Sunday 31st October - 20h30 - Saint-Lô Ste Croix Church
Concert 1h00 : Monday 1st November - 17h30 - Saint-Lô St George's Church


http://www.svetilen.tpi.ru/