Sung by the finest Russian and Bulgarian choirs, this extraordinary collection of transcendent prayers and hymns highlights a timeless Russian tradition of faith and devotion. For sheer beauty, there is little to match it anywhere in the world. The solemn ecstasy in the music of the Russian Orthodox Church can trace its roots back to the earliest days of Christian worship, via the great Byzantine Empire of the Near East. It presents an uncompromising search for peaks and depths of expressive fervor, aloof from all gimmicks. That was true of the music's multi-cultural roots as monastic chant, and was maintained as it evolved into full choral harmony in the late Romantic period.
This survey of Eastern Church music is not intended to be historically inclusive. Nor is it programmed to fit Russian liturgical services. What is offered is a selection extracted from the liturgical music of the 19th and early 20th centuries and focusing on the world of angelic inner quiet.
Much of what you hear sounds suspended in mid-air. Tempos are broad, and rhythmic features never much apparent. The music seems to levitate, floating effortlessly from piece to piece while showing very little sense of urgency. These scores seek nothing beyond a beautiful existence. Like true faith, it simply is. In that sense, there is something akin to the emotions experienced while hearing modern ambient music.
One of the first things you will likely notice in this collection is the number of versions of the traditional angelic hymn, here translated as Hymn of the Cherubim. Both the titles and sonic vistas of this music reflect the high respect which angels hold in Orthodox Church thought. In the Eastern Church, angels occupy a place similar to the importance of the saints in Western Christianity - only slightly higher.
Angels, after all, have been Gods, warriors and messengers as well as attendants. They have been pictured in Orthodox iconography as neither male nor female, but immortals of tremendous power. Orthodox angels are enormous, mysterious creatures, able to intercede for us. They are non judgmental, neither scowling in disapproval nor smiling benignly. They stand for perfect tranquility and neutrality, existing in that calm certainty aspired to but rarely attained by human beings, not even saints.
The music of the Eastern Church is thus literally and emotionally tied to the effort to create the music of the angelic host. It is music designed not to trouble the mind, but rather to act as a medium between God and man.
Of course, no one can say what angels sound like. But in their effort to hint at an art free from ego, Russian composers have often achieved an art form which comes close to the ideals of the music of the spheres. It's a music of transport to a world beyond care. One has only to consider the power in these settings of well-known prayers such as The Lord's Prayer (Our Father) or Great Ektenia (Lord Have Mercy, or in the Latin Mass, Kyrie Eleison).
Historically, the old Eastern Roman Empire became known as Byzantium after the fall of Rome in A.D. 476. With Constantinople (modern Istanbul) as its capital, Byzantine music drew on all surrounding cultures Armenian, Egyptian, Greek, Hebrew, Syrian and Ukrainian. Thus the early religious music of the Orthodox (or Byzantine) Church reflected many influences of the regions cultures.
For a thousand years, the music was single-line chant, sung exclusively by male singers. They had a full notation system before the West, and some of these ancient manuscripts still survive. All this began to evolve little by little, as Western trained composers such as Glinka insisted on reintroducing modal melody, supported by Romantic harmonies, but in a simple and direct fashion free of complex embellishments.
Throughout its history, however, Russian Church music has maintained its tradition as a purely human medium. No machines were allowed that is, no instruments. It is pure music for unaccompanied human voices.
Church bells large and small are employed for processionals, to call the congregation or escort them back into the outside world. But the music remains purely vocal. [ Although you can hear the percussive tinkling of the swinging censers (incense pots) during the excerpt sung by the Belgian monks of the Chevetogne Monastery on track 10. ]
That purely vocal tradition was even observed by composers such as Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff. Neither was notably devout, yet neither gave way to their normal inclination toward lavish display when setting the Orthodox liturgy. Both as great musicians, and as members of the Russian culture, they grasped the perfection of the medium as it existed. Its power transcends even its original function for religious services.
It is in that spirit that this tapestry of Orthodox classics has been woven together. The intent of producer ELLEN HOLMES was to garner outstanding examples of a great art form onto one disc, not as liturgy, but as a meaningful listening experience. Weaving the set was a labor of love for all involved, intended as a secular act of respect for some of the most beautiful music the world has produced.
Concept, music selection, sequence and track notes: ELLEN HOLMES
1. Russian Cathedral Bells
Before entering the Cathedral, we hear the sound of the great bells - this is part of the Russian Orthodox tradition.
2. Great Ektenia Sergei Rachmaninov
Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Op. 31
The Russian State Symphony Cappella,
directed by Valery Polyansky
(Licensed from Consonance Inc.)
We are inside the sanctuary, enveloped by the most cherished and timeless prayer in the liturgy: "Gospodi pomilui," which means "Lord, have mercy!" It is an exact parallel to the "Kyrie eleison" of the Western mass. The words "Gospodi pomilui!" are repeated many times throughout the liturgy, sometimes occupying just one part of a hymn and sometimes, as in this setting of the prayer by Rachmaninov, comprising the entire hymn.
3. Hymn of Praise Sergei Rachmaninov
Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Op. 31
The Russian State Symphony Cappella,
directed by Valery Polyansky
(Licensed from Consonance Inc.)
This prayer of adoration is one of Rachmaninov's most exquisite pieces. A single, angelic voice floats above a dense, richly textured carpet of sound.
4. Hymn of the Cherubim (excerpt)
Sergei Rachmaninov
Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Op. 31
The Russian State Symphony Cappella,
directed by Valery Polyansky
(Licensed from Consonance Inc.)
Rachmaninov's setting of the angelic hymn is one of the most tenderly beautiful pieces in the entire repertoire of European sacred choral music.
The prayer, which says "Let us now lay aside all cares of this life," expresses the essence of the liturgy.
5. Hymn of the Cherubim (excerpt)
Dimitri Bortniansky
The Leningrad Glinka State Academic Choir, directed by Vladislav Chernushenko
(Licensed from Consonance Inc.)
This eloquent setting of the angelic hymn by Ukrainian composer Dimitri Bortniansky is much loved and often sung by contemporary Russian Orthodox choirs. It conveys a mood of sublime peace and safety.
6. Our Father Nikolai Kedrov Sr.
"Svetoslav Obretenov" Bulgarian National Choir conducted by Georgi Robev
(Licensed from Balkanton Ltd.)
This version of the "Our Father" by Nikolai Kedrov, Sr. is unquestionably the best-loved setting of the prayer. It is very well known, not only by choirs but by everyone who attends the Orthodox liturgy. The vast Bulgarian National Choir, directed by Georgi Robev, creates a mood of devotion and peace.
7. Fervent Supplication (excerpt)
Sergei Rachmaninov
Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Op. 31
The Russian State Symphony Cappella,
directed by Valery Polyansky
(Licensed from Consonance Inc.)
In this profound setting of the prayer "Gospodi pomilui" Rachmaninov again conveys the heart and soul of Russian spirituality. The choir under the direction of Valery Polyansky is close to perfection.
8. The Noble Joseph The Bulgarsky
Rospev, arranged by P. Turchaninov
Men's Chamber Choir of Sofia,
directed by Dimitre Rouskov
(Licensed from Balkanton Ltd.)
A lyrical arrangement of an ancient Bulgarian chant usually sung during Easter Week, the holiest time in the Russian Orthodox year.
9. Amen. And with Thy Spirit Peter Tchaikovsky
Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
The USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir conducted by Valery Polyansky
(Licensed from Consonance Inc.)
This short excerpt from Tchaikovsky's "Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom" brings us again the "Gospodi pomilui." It is sung passionately and with that hallmark of Orthodox sacred music, the powerful "Amen!"
10. Russian Monastic Vespers (excerpt)
Choir of Monks from the Chevetogne Monastery, directed by R.P. Philippe Baer OSB
(Licensed from Koch International)
We hear the enchanting ringing of small bells attached to censers which are swung about, filling the air with the perfume of frankincense. The singers are not Russian Orthodox, but Benedictine monks from the Chevetogne Monastery in Belgium. Remarkably, they specialize in chanting their own unique style of Russian sacred choral music.
11. Bless the Lord, O my Soul
Sergei Rachmaninov
Liturgy Of Saint John Chrysostom
Choir of the Moscow Church "Joy to All Sorrows" conducted by Nikolai Matveyev
Soloist - Irina Arkhipova
(Licensed from Consonance Inc.)
A solemn and deeply introspective piece. This magnificent performance is unusual in that it fades into silence at just the point where most choirs begin a dramatic ascent of intensity and thunderous volume.
12. Hymn of the Cherubim (excerpt) Peter Tchaikovsky
Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Op.41
The USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir conducted by Valery Polyansky
(Licensed from Consonance Inc.)
Stately and serene, Tchaikovsky's setting of this angelic invocation has an other-worldly quality like no other version. Here, one truly feels the presence of angels. As always, the direction of Valery Polyansky brings out subtle nuances and depth in the music.
13. Hymn of the Cherubim (excerpts/edited) Dobri Christov
"Svetoslav Obretenov" Bulgarian National Choir, directed by Georgi Robev
(Licensed from Balkanton Ltd.)
Bulgarian composer Dobri Christov's setting of the angelic prayer - just one of many he composed - conveys a profound expression of faith. The 100 member Bulgarian National Choir, directed by the brilliant Georgi Robev and performing in the vast space of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, creates an ocean of resonance.
14. Our Father Peter Tchaikovsky
Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Op.41
The USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir conducted by Valery Polyansky
(Licensed from Consonance Inc.)
The "Our Father" is one of the prayers most often set to music and Tchaikovsky's version is among the most beautiful of them - especially when performed under the direction of Valery Polyansky.
15. I Have Chosen the Blissful Alexander Gretchaninov
Bulgarian Radio and Television Mixed Choir
directed by Mikhail Milkov
(Licensed from Balkanton Ltd.)
The solemn tolling of the Great Bell is heard inside the cathedral and its call is soon answered by the choir in an exaltation of joyous alleluias.
16. Hymn of the Cherubim
Grigory Lvovski
Bulgarian Radio and Television Men's Choir directed by Mikhail Milkov
(Licensed from Balkanton Ltd.)
A final experience of the Angelic hymn. The Bulgarian RTV Men's choir offers a hushed and reverent invocation.
17. Final Bells
Our journey ends as it began, with the solemn and sustaining resonance of the Great Russian Bell.
What are these?
