Track Listing

1. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Velikaya Ekteniya (The Great Litany)
2. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Blagoslovi, dushe moya, Gospoda (The First Antiphon: Bless the Lord, O my soul)
3. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Slava Otsu - Edinorodnyy Syne (The Second Antiphon: Glory be to the Father - Only-
4. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Vo tsarstvii tvoem (The Third Antiphon: In Your Kingdom)
5. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Priidite, poklonimsya (The Little Entrance: Come, let us worship
6. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Gospodi, spasi blagochestivya - Svyatyy Bozhe (Trisagion: Lord, we pray that you m
7. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Sugubaya Ekteniya (The Augmented Litany)
8. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Kherumivskaya pesn (Cherubic Hymn)
9. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Prositelnaya Ekteniya (Litany of Supplication)
10. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Simvol very: Veruyu (The Creed: I believe)
11. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Milost mira (The Eucharistic Prayer: A Mercy of Peace)
12. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Tebe poem (We praise you)
13. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Dostoyno est (Hymn to the Mother of God: It is truly meet)
14. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Otche nash (The Lord's Prayer: Our Father)
15. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Edin svyat (One is holy)
16. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Khvalite Gospoda s nebes (Communion Hymn: Praise the Lord from the heavens)
17. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Blagosloven gradyy - Videkhom svet (Blessed is he - We have seen the true light)
18. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Da ispolnyatsya usta nasha (Hymn of Praise: Let our mouths be filled with your pra
19. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Budi imya Gospodne (Blessed be the name of the Lord)
20. Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, for chorus, Op. 31: Otpust (Dismissal)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #528047 in Music
• Released on: 1994-10-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Customer Reviews

Best's best - a very effective recording
Having recorded his famous "All-Night Vigil" setting for Hyperion, the Corydon Singers have done a marvellous thing indeed by turning their attention to Rachmaninov's "Liturgy of St John Chrysostom." On first hearing, this was not perhaps as appealing to my ears as the Vespers, but the significance of this music should not be overlooked. It was written as a sort of prototype to the All-Night Vigil, and listeners familiar with any recording of that work will recognise various traits such as lush harmonies, the use of Russian chants, the overtly prayerful nature of the music and a descent to the infernal regions of the voice (there are actually more low B flats in this piece than there are in the All-Night Vigil!). This work is actually longer than the Vigil by over ten minutes, although a lot of this consists of chanting by a Priest (a role taken on by the outstanding bass Peter Scorer, who sounds almost incredibly Russian). Overall, the musical material (melodic and harmonic) is much simpler, not requiring the same virtuosity needed for the Vigil but still very much a test of stamina for the singers. Nonetheless, there are some particularly fine moments on this disc, including the Cherubic Hymn, the meltingly beautiful verse "Tyebye Poyem" ("We Praise You") and the eight-part Lord's Prayer which is frequently performed as a separate work on account of it's haunting and instantly memorable use of two choirs, texturally interwoven.

The Corydon Singers, recorded over several sessions in the Temple Church, London, create on this recording the most powerful, moving and stirring sound. Comparisons with actually attending a Russian service would not be out of place here. Plus, the singers have a very special flexibility and blend that does ample justice to the music (with which Rachmaninov was most satisfied).

Matthew Best and his choir have created a minor masterpiece here. It may perhaps not be easy on the ear to hear it all in one go- although it literally does transport you into the world of Russian Orthodox Music as never before.

The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
I happened upon this work purely by accident and bought it immediately. If I could choose the music I'd be hearing as I leave this earth, this would be it!

Russian choral music is decidedly an acquired taste; it's lugubrious to many but I find its sombre ecstasy and austere opulence uplifting. When you listen it to it you truly are hearing the innermost desire of the soul translated into musical form.