I’m not generally one to recommend music – but during our recent trip to Paris we happened into a music shop and discovered the work of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, directed by Paul Hillier. My interest was in their Eastern Christian chant – a particular passion of mine. The shop assistant (we think noticing our interest) put on one of the CD’s – HEAVENLY! I’ve not heard these particular chants done with such clarity and passion on a recording before! We bought a 3 CD boxed set: “Let My Prayer Arise – Orthodox Church Music”. It includes their version of Rachmaninov’s vigil, another collection of vespers chants “The Powers of Heaven” and a third disc called “Fragments” that has a mix of chant from Italy, Greece, Russia, medaeval England and France.

I’ve looked on iTunes and if you plug in “Paul Hillier” you’ll find a whole list of his work – there are some Western things in addition to the work I’ve mentioned here.

Enjoy!