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Maximilian Steinberg, “Passion Week”, Op. 13 — Notes
Historians of Orthodox Christianity have charted the emergence of a ‘Russian Religious Renaissance’ out of the so-called ‘Silver Age’ of Russia, the culturally fruitful but politically turbulent decades immediately prior to the Bolshevik takeover in 1917. This movement encompassed a broad range of efforts aimed at various forms of spiritual, ecclesial, cultural, and national renewal
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Fanfare Magazine Reviews Benedict Sheehan’s Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
Alongside a must-read interview with Benedict Sheehan, Fanfare Magazine’s March/April 2021 Issue features THREE reviews of his Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom recording with the St. Tikhon Choir on Cappella Records: James A. Altena: “I own a goodly number of settings of the Liturgy by various composers—Chesnokov, Grechaninov, Ippolitov-Ivanov, Kastalsky, Rachmaninoff, Shvedov, Stoyanov, and
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St. Tikhon Choir Gives a “Stunning Debut”
Cinemusical gives stars across the board to the Saint Tikhon Choir’s recording of Benedict Sheehan’s Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom on Cappella Records: “The work is a blend of liturgical components (litanies, various antiphons and hymns, an “Our Father”, communion, blessing) and psalm settings (Sheehan adapted Psalms 145 and 148). There are references to ancient
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Psaltikon: The Day of Resurrection
The Historical Development of Easter The celebration of Easter (i.e., Pascha) for Orthodox Christians commences on Saturday morning with a Vesperal Liturgy that comprises psalms, hymns, and Old Testament readings, followed by the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Pascha is formally inaugurated several hours later, at midnight, in a rush of blazing candles, exuberant
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Notes on Heaven and Earth: A Song of Creation
Heaven and Earth: A Song of Creation Dedicated to Richard Toensing (+2014) and Archimandrite Ephrem Lash (+2016) of blessed memory Program Notes by Richard Barrett, Artistic Director, The Saint John of Damascus Society HEAVEN AND EARTH TICKETS 10/12 SEATTLE TICKETS 10/13 PORTLAND TICKETS 10/14 PORTLAND TICKETS The Saint John of Damascus Society is a sacred arts
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Venice in the East
Venice In The East: April 27-29, 2018 Program Notes by Alexander Lingas From its emergence as a significant political entity in the sixth century under the rule of the Eastern Roman (“Byzantine”) Empire to the dissolution of the Republic by Napoleon in 1797, the city of Venice remained closely tied to the Greek East. Following
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Byzantine Christmas: Sun of Justice – Taking the Journey
The ecclesiastical feast day celebrating the Nativity of Jesus Christ – which came to be called simply “Christ’s Mass,” or “Christmas” in English – was added to the calendar in the Eastern Church somewhat later than other major feasts. Originally, Christ’s Nativity and Baptism were celebrated on the same day: Epiphany (January 6). Much has
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Gramophone Review of The Akáthistos Hymn
Looking forward to our upcoming performances of Ivan Moody’s Akáthistos Hymn in Seattle and Portland, as well as the re-release of our original recording, we’re looking back at Gramophone Magazine’s 2003 review of our recording of the work: “The Byzantine Akáthistos Hymn probably dates from the early 6th century and comprises 24 stanzas, one for
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Venice in the North
Following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the peoples of Russia and Ukraine began to look to the West not only for trading partners, but also for political, intellectual and artistic models. The Westernization of northern Slavic societies rooted in Byzantine traditions of governance and religion accelerated during the tumultuous seventeenth century, which saw
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Director Update – Associate Music Director John Michael Boyer to conduct Rautavaara All-Night Vigil in Portland and Seattle
John Michael Boyer will conduct Cappella Romana in this week’s performances of the All-Night Vigil by Einojuhani Rautavaara, replacing Timo Nuoranne. Nuoranne’s visa has been held up at the US Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, in part due to a State Department delay in the days leading to the inauguration. Film: John Michael Boyer in rehearsal

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