Maximilian Steinberg’s “Passion Week” re-surfaces after being lost for 90 years

It’s not a commonplace occurrence in this day and age for a lost choral work of masterwork stature to surface after 90 years of obscurity. But this is exactly the case with Maximilian Steinberg’s “Passion Week,” written in 1923 and given its world premiere only in 2014, by Portland-based Cappella Romana. After the premiere performances, Cappella Romana recorded the present CD, which is officially being released on March 24, but which has already been receiving some reviews. Here is one such review: http://www.orthodoxartsjournal.org/a-new-landmark-steinbergs-passion-week/

I was privileged to have been part of Cappella Romana’s premiere and week-long recording sessions as their Church Slavonic coach, and I can assest that all the superlatives in Benedict Sheehan’s review are accurate and well-deserved. No lover of fine choral singing can remain unmoved by Steinberg’s music and Cappella Romana’s interpretation of it. 

Musica Russica is the publisher of the score used by Cappella Romana in this recording. The score is available at: 

http://www.musicarussica.com/collections/st-pw

You can pre-order the recording (which will be shipped March 24) at: http://www.musicarussica.com/compact_discs/a137