Byzantine Chants

On this CD:

1. April Sticheron from the 12th Century: No.1
Composed by Byzantine Chant
Performed by Bulgarian Orthodox Ensemble

2. April Sticheron from the 12th Century: No.5
Composed by Byzantine Chant
Performed by Bulgarian Orthodox Ensemble

3. April Sticheron from the 12th Century: No.7
Composed by Byzantine Chant
Performed by Bulgarian Orthodox Ensemble

4. April Sticheron from the 12th Century: No.13
Composed by Byzantine Chant
Performed by Bulgarian Orthodox Ensemble

5. April Sticheron from the 12th Century: No.15
Composed by Byzantine Chant
Performed by Bulgarian Orthodox Ensemble

6. April Sticheron from the 12th Century: No.16
Composed by Byzantine Chant
Performed by Bulgarian Orthodox Ensemble

7. April Sticheron from the 12th Century: No.25
Composed by Byzantine Chant
Performed by Bulgarian Orthodox Ensemble

8. April Sticheron from the 12th Century: No.30
Composed by Byzantine Chant
Performed by Bulgarian Orthodox Ensemble

9. Doxology from the 14th Century
Composed by Byzantine Chant
Performed by Bulgarian Orthodox Ensemble

10. Psalm 135, Verse 1 from the 13th Century, Messina
Composed by Byzantine Chant
Performed by Bulgarian Orthodox Ensemble

11. Pslam 135, Verses 8 & 7 from the 14th Century, Mount Latros
Composed by Byzantine Chant
Performed by Bulgarian Orthodox Ensemble

12. Hallelujah from the 14th Century
Composed by Byzantine Chant
Performed by Bulgarian Orthodox Ensemble

13. Terirem from the 14th Century
Composed by Joannes Koukouzeleis
Performed by Bulgarian Orthodox Ensemble

Customer Reviews:

Chants of the Universal Church.......2006-04-28

Byzantuim is Atlantis of European culture, and each new finding in the Byzantinists throws a new light on the history and culture of European (both West and East) civilization.
This CD allows us to listen to newly deshiphered Old Roman Chants of 7th-8th centuries. In that time Rome and Italy were under strong Byzantine influence, Christan Church was united and so this music presents us very modern in its spirit multicultural Christian Chants. The voice of the Greek cantor Lycourgous Angelopoulos freely flowing in this sacred space supported by the choir of Ensemble Organum. Some features of this music would remind you Gregorian Chants, some - music of Greek Orthodox Church. The manner of singing sometimes remindes me even Russian folksongs (it`s my own non-academic association), so the synthesis of different elements brings us refreshing, new and suddenly modern sounding spiritual Christian music.
So the record is very impressive, beautiful. If you like meditative Gregorian Chants or if the problems of relationships between the West and the Orient are interesting for you - you would like this CD. Thanks to Marcel Peres! My real rate of this record - 10 stars.

Pre-Gregorian Christian Chants.......2004-08-05

This album is an attempt to decipher the notes of ancient Christian chants found at the Vatican library that date back to VII - VIII centuries, when parts of Italy were still under the power of Byzantine emperors, and the Christian Church was not divided into the Catholic and Orthodox halves.

This music is solemn, ascetic and has a certain oriental flavor - let's not forget that Christianity originated in Middle East and the very word "Christian" was coined in Antioch, Syria. To me these chants sounded a bit like singing of the Mount Athos monk choir.

Good pick for all those exploring the roots of European, Christian and Mediterranean cultures irrespective of later splits and schisms.

Chants sacrés de l'Orient (tradition melchite)

Average customer rating:

Heavenly voice
The sound of peace
There is a mystery here...
Beautiful, Mysterious, Exotic

Chants sacrés de l'Orient (tradition melchite)

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Chants de L'Eglise de Rome: Période byzantine
Ambrosian Chant
Cantiques de l'Orient
Chant Mozarabe - Cathedrale de Tolede (15th century) /Ensemble Organum * Peres
Coptic Liturgies

ASIN: B00005B6RY
Release Date: 2001-06-12

Customer Reviews:

Heavenly voice.......2006-01-12

I can only say this. I was listening to track 9, "Inna al malak", and I couldn't breathe anymore.

If you wanna "see" a glimpse of what might heaven be, listen to this album

The sound of peace.......2004-09-12

I'll give this record the full 5 because when I first heard it in the store, it brought tears to my eyes.
Sister Marie Keyrouz's voice is pure peace and faith. It is no less grandiose than one of J.S. Bach's cantatas. Ornate chants form winding, exulting paths up into the sky. She captures the essence of worship into sound in a way that might seem unusual to Westerners. I could feel my own spirit join in, and I'm not a practicing Christian.
As for the theme of the record, as you already know, it consists of Melchite liturgical chants dating from the fourth century A.D. Interestingly enough, all the texts are adressed to the Virgin Mary, even though they are destined to be performed at various celebrations. My personal favourite is #9, Inna-l Malak, the Office of Easter.
NOTE to musicians and theorists: the booklet includes the ancient modes(echos) in which the pieces are written. I also recommend this record for supporting research on Judeo-Christian musical traditions, as well as Gregorian Chant, which lists Byzantine religious music as one of its influences.

There is a mystery here..........2004-05-13

--The word, -the sound, -the meaning in the mind of the believer. -The voice of Marie Keyrouz is compelling. --It transports and elevates...though mostly of a subdued nature, there is occasionally a note that is sung quite loudly. ---Except for the first in greek--all the tracks are sung in arabic. --It's unfortunate that the arabic words are not printed in the liner notes as are the full translations in french, english, and german (only the first lines). ---alot of subtle changes in dynamics contibute to make a music that pulls the heart strings, harmonizes the emotions, and brings clarity to the mind.--It should be pointed out that some of this music is a little raw---sounding--- ...if not improvised, ---rather free and spontaeneously rendered.

Beautiful, Mysterious, Exotic.......2002-08-06

To western ears, such as mine, it comes as quite a shock to hear Christian service music that sounds so Arabic. Sister Marie Keyrouz sings chants from the Melchite Church in Arabic and Greek in a rich contralto, sparely accompanied by a generally droning male chorus. The melodies are fluid, modal and rhapsodic. The effect is totally entrancing. Although the price is a bargain, the performance and recording quality are pure gold, and you'd be silly to pass this up.

The Soul of Eternal Russia: Russian Orthodox Hymns and Chants

Average customer rating:

The Soul of Eternal Russia: Russian Orthodox Hymns and Chants

Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000DNFR
Release Date: 1996-03-12

Chants de l'Eglise de Rome - Periode byzantine (Chants of the Roman Church, from the Byzantine Period) /Ensemble Organum * Peres

Average customer rating:

An eye-opening performance

Chants de l'Eglise de Rome - Periode byzantine (Chants of the Roman Church, from the Byzantine Period) /Ensemble Organum * Peres
Ensemble Organum
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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Chant Mozarabe - Cathedrale de Tolede (15th century) /Ensemble Organum * Peres
Chant Cistercien - Monodies of the 12th Century /Ensemble Organum * Peres

ASIN: B000027NUQ
Release Date: 1992-12-09

Tracks:

Alleluia: VO Pimenon Ton Israhil
Introit: Resurrexi
Graduel Hec Dies/V Confitemini Domino/V Dicat Nunc Israhel
Alleluia: V Pascha Nostrum/V Epulemur/Alleluia
Offertoire: Terra Tremuit/V Notus In Ludea/V Et Factus Est In Pace/V Ibi Confregit
Alleluia: V Epi Si Kyrie
Communion: Pascha Nostrum
Alleluia

Customer Reviews:

An eye-opening performance.......2000-04-04

The music on this CD is not what most people consider "Gregorian Chant". The music presented here is taken from the "Old Roman" chant repertory (ca. 7th-8th Centuries) which pre-dates what is most referred to as Gregorian Chant. The Gregorian Chant which most people are familiar with actually comes from the Carolingian Empire (ca. 850-1000), which came into existence later than the Old Roman period. Hence, the reportoire from the Old Roman period is unsingable if sung in the style suggested by Gregorian scholars for Carolingian chants.

However, since the Roman church had been heavily influenced by the Byzantine Empire during this period, it was logical to turn to Byzantine chants for guidance and performance hints. Thus, there are similarities between the Old Roman chant and Byzantine chant such as modal, cadential, and ornamental formulas. Also used in the performance here is an "Ison", a note sustained in the bass to support the chant melody and to underscore modal transformations. With all these stylistic choices in mind, the result is eye-opening. The listener will be transported to a totally unfamiliar, but other-worldly realm.

Tracks:

April Sticheron From The 12th Century: No. 1
April Sticheron From The 12th Century: No. 5
April Sticheron From The 12th Century: No. 7
April Sticheron From The 12th Century: No. 13
April Sticheron From The 12th Century: No. 15
April Sticheron From The 12th Century: No. 16
April Sticheron From The 12th Century: No. 25
April Sticheron From The 12th Century: No. 30
Doxology From The 14th Century
Psalm 135, Verse 1 From The 13th Century
Psalm 135, Verses 8 & 7 From The 14th Century,...
Hallelujah From The 14th Century
Terirem From The 14th Century(Ioannis Koukouzelis)

Customer Reviews:

Great Example of Early Orthodox Music.......1999-03-21

Wonderful to listen to. Light a candle in front of your favorite icon of the Theotokos while you listen to it. Burn some incense, and think of Constantinople.