There are enough versions of this around to make a new one irrelevant if it really isn't ‘golden-voiced’. Fortunately, this one is glorious, carried by a choir that Kaspars Putniņš has burnished and polished till every tone glows. The Super Audio recording also helps. The ‘spirit of modernism’ that offended the Orthodox authorities when the work was first performed has survived, but now minus its negative connotations. The Orthodox Easter of 2022 was a bittersweet one for obvious reasons, but this music has healing powers. Next year marks the 150th anniversary of Rachmaninov's birth and the 80th of his death. It's unlikely any forthcoming recordings will top this one.

Tactus ★★★