Product DescriptionThis recording of Bulgarian choirs (male, mixed voice, female and a boys choir), is intended to offer selections of liturgical choral music that illustrate the uniqueness of the arrangements and the wonder of the performance. As practiced in the Eastern Orthodox Church, it is an antiphonal interaction between the congregation/choir and the celebrant (priest and/or deacon), so there is always a solo voice that introduces the hymn, and frequently closes it. The services represented are Matins, Great Vespers and the Divine Liturgy. Festal services included are from Holy Week and Easter as well as the Nativity. Two unique & seldom heard hymns are The Polyeleos (sung at Matins in the time before a Feast) and Rejoice Isaiah, Holy Martyrs (sung at weddings). These choirs from Bulgaria stand out because of their performance quality and the free use of male and female voice in choir and solo roles. Includes performances by: Sofia Orthodox Choir, Sofia Boys Choir, Male Choir of Sveta Nedelya Cathedral, Sofia Madrigal, and Vassil Arnaudov Sofia Chamber Choir