Kudos on the record. Choirs are fantastic. Howevever, the notes by E. Holmes are bothersome as they still perpetuate the myth that the Russian Orthodox Church is more than 1000 years old. Rus’ was converted to Christianity by Prince Volodymyr (Vladimir, Valdimir) in Kyiv (Kiev), capital of Rus’-Ukraine in 988. Russia did not exist at that time. Religious chants came through Bulgaria and you offer some tremendous examples. Church tradition and music moved north to Muscovy much later and it was, as you correctly point out, Bortniansky – the Ukrainian composer, who brought the Eastern Church music to its apogee in the 18th century when he served as choir director in Saint Petersburg. Both the Ukrainian Orthodox as well as the Catholic churches have historically used Bortniansky in their services. Thank you for such a wonderful masterpiece.
Rating: 5 / 5
Sacred Treasures is one of the most beautiful discs I have listened to in a long time. The music evokes a heavenly choir. My personal favorite is track 12, Cherubim by Tchaikovsky. It moves me to a different place. A place I’d like to stay.
Rating: 5 / 5
THIS IS A FABULOUS CD…SO MUCH SO THAT I HAVE GIVEN IT AS A GIFT TO MY FAVORITE PEOPLE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. THE VOCALS ARE HEAVENLY. I AM AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN MYSELF (ALTHOUGH A SCOT AND NOT RUSSIAN) SO I AM FAMILIAR WITH WHAT IS TAKING PLACE IN THE LITURGY WHEN THESE CHORAL PIECES ARE SUNG…WHICH IS AN ADVANTAGE. IN MY OPINION RUSSIAN CHANT IS THE BEST…RICH, FULL, PASSIONATE AND COMPLEX. I WOULD RECOMMEND A VISIT TO A SERVICE TO EXPERIENCE THE VISUAL THAT IS WOVEN WITH THE MUSIC.
Rating: 5 / 5
If any of you are looking of some sort of spiritual stuff to soothe your spirit and draw you closer to Heavenly God, this is it.It has been lovingly crafted to bring you into a deeper spiritual place. The choir have done their best to lift you into comfortable,refreshness and a sence of peace and calm to an otherwise hectic day.Enjoy it,and I’m sure you will love it….
Rating: 5 / 5
Kudos on the record. Choirs are fantastic. Howevever, the notes by E. Holmes are bothersome as they still perpetuate the myth that the Russian Orthodox Church is more than 1000 years old. Rus’ was converted to Christianity by Prince Volodymyr (Vladimir, Valdimir) in Kyiv (Kiev), capital of Rus’-Ukraine in 988. Russia did not exist at that time. Religious chants came through Bulgaria and you offer some tremendous examples. Church tradition and music moved north to Muscovy much later and it was, as you correctly point out, Bortniansky – the Ukrainian composer, who brought the Eastern Church music to its apogee in the 18th century when he served as choir director in Saint Petersburg. Both the Ukrainian Orthodox as well as the Catholic churches have historically used Bortniansky in their services. Thank you for such a wonderful masterpiece.
Rating: 5 / 5
I never tired of listening to these lovely ‘treasures’
There is nothing more that I can say, but to encourage others to
spend some time listening to what will thoroughly bring peace of mind.
I also highly recommend III and IV for same result.
Rating: 5 / 5
Sacred Treasures is one of the most beautiful discs I have listened to in a long time. The music evokes a heavenly choir. My personal favorite is track 12, Cherubim by Tchaikovsky. It moves me to a different place. A place I’d like to stay.
Rating: 5 / 5
THIS IS A FABULOUS CD…SO MUCH SO THAT I HAVE GIVEN IT AS A GIFT TO MY FAVORITE PEOPLE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. THE VOCALS ARE HEAVENLY. I AM AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN MYSELF (ALTHOUGH A SCOT AND NOT RUSSIAN) SO I AM FAMILIAR WITH WHAT IS TAKING PLACE IN THE LITURGY WHEN THESE CHORAL PIECES ARE SUNG…WHICH IS AN ADVANTAGE. IN MY OPINION RUSSIAN CHANT IS THE BEST…RICH, FULL, PASSIONATE AND COMPLEX. I WOULD RECOMMEND A VISIT TO A SERVICE TO EXPERIENCE THE VISUAL THAT IS WOVEN WITH THE MUSIC.
Rating: 5 / 5
If any of you are looking of some sort of spiritual stuff to soothe your spirit and draw you closer to Heavenly God, this is it.It has been lovingly crafted to bring you into a deeper spiritual place. The choir have done their best to lift you into comfortable,refreshness and a sence of peace and calm to an otherwise hectic day.Enjoy it,and I’m sure you will love it….
Rating: 5 / 5