This is really good. The choir has excellent dynamics, and the tempo--for being so slow--was steady without being overly influenced by the moving line and rushing during crescendos. Good balance in the group, and the conductor did just enough to keep everyone together without having to give large gestures. So often, when a piece is slow moving, a choir will start speeding up; and the same goes for conducting. Nice ebb and flow by the accompanist. Will have to do a little searching to see if there are more recordings of this group. It's nice that this link popped up on my screen today. As a former college choral director, I love hearing voices like this. Good work. I realize it is from 10 years ago, but hearing it for the first time today is a joy.
Concur entirely. Add that this group presents the song in a solemn, dignified manner, down to the long black robes. Processional, even; far from the American style of love song crooning. Long, steady tonalities resemble Orthodox Christian singing, which makes sense as it comes from Bulgaria.