Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 1. Lord, Have Mercy
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 2. Glory to the Father and to the Son
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 3. Come, Let us Worship
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 4. Alleluia
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 5. Glory to Thee, O Lord
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 6. Cherubic Hymn
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 7. Lord, Have Mercy
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 8. I Believe in One God, The Father, The Almighty
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 9. Merciful Peace
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 10. We Hymn Thee
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 11. It is Truly Fitting
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 12. Amen. And With Your Spirit, Lord Have Mercy
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 13. Our Father
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 14. Praise the Lord from the Heavens
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 41: 15. Blessed is He who Comes in the Name of the Lord
Tchaikovsky began his first large-scale sacred composition in 1878. He chose the hallowed text by St. John Chrysostom (347-407), Bishop of Constantinople and one of the fathers of the Greek (and by extension Russian Ortho... more »dox) church. This is one of the most important texts in the Orthodox liturgy, and Tchaikovsky intended his setting for church use. However, it was first performed in a public concert and immediately condemned by the Patriarch of Moscow as being tainted by the world. Tchaikovsky creates a rich variety of choral textures to provide atmosphere and create quasi-orchestral effects. Valeri Polyansky (b. 1936), who is now making a name for himself as an orchestral conductor, established his career in choral music. A graduate of the legendary Moscow Conservatory, he studied with Boris Kulikov and Gennady Rozhdestvensky. In the 1980s and early '90s, Polyansky recorded Russian sacred music extensively with the USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir! . In 1992, he founded the Symphonic Capella, a large choral and orchestral ensemble based in Moscow. Sung in Church Slavonic. Recorded in the Cathedral of the Dormition in Smolensk in 1990.« less
Tchaikovsky began his first large-scale sacred composition in 1878. He chose the hallowed text by St. John Chrysostom (347-407), Bishop of Constantinople and one of the fathers of the Greek (and by extension Russian Orthodox) church. This is one of the most important texts in the Orthodox liturgy, and Tchaikovsky intended his setting for church use. However, it was first performed in a public concert and immediately condemned by the Patriarch of Moscow as being tainted by the world. Tchaikovsky creates a rich variety of choral textures to provide atmosphere and create quasi-orchestral effects. Valeri Polyansky (b. 1936), who is now making a name for himself as an orchestral conductor, established his career in choral music. A graduate of the legendary Moscow Conservatory, he studied with Boris Kulikov and Gennady Rozhdestvensky. In the 1980s and early '90s, Polyansky recorded Russian sacred music extensively with the USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir! . In 1992, he founded the Symphonic Capella, a large choral and orchestral ensemble based in Moscow. Sung in Church Slavonic. Recorded in the Cathedral of the Dormition in Smolensk in 1990.
CD Reviews
Very Fine Russian Choral Music
Eric S. Kim | Southern California | 12/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's no doubt that Tchaikovsky's Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom can bring a few teardrops instantly. Personally, I'm more for Rachmaninov's Liturgy, but Tchaikovsky's is just as fine. Valery Polyansky hands the work as a sacred and untouchable piece of art. Tempi are relaxed, and there is no bombast whatsoever. USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir sing from the heart: great diction and perfect dynamics. Everything on this CD is a plus, except for minimal liner notes, but that's only minor. Go on and buy this CD and be captivated."