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Sergei Rachmaninoff 1873–1943 Liturgy of St John Chrysostom Op.31 CD 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Great Ektenia First Antiphon Second Antiphon Third Antiphon Entrance Hymn Trisagion Hymn Fervent Supplication Cheruvimic Hymn Ektenia of the Prothesis Nicaean Creed
CD 2
51’43 3’44 6’34 4’37 6’02 1’52 3’19 8’23 6’33 3’47 6’49
54’54
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Anaphora Hymn of Praise Hymn to the Virgin The Lord’s Prayer The Elevation Communion Hymn Blessing Hymn of Praise Blessed be His Name Glory to the Father
5’19 2’59 7’28 4’41 1’21 3’01 2’29 8’51 0’52 2’18
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O Mother of God vigilantly praying Sacred Concerto for 4-part unaccompanied choir
9’29
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Chorus of Spirits for 4-part unaccompanied choir
1’25
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Panteley the Healer for 4-part unaccompanied choir
4’11
Russian State Symphony Capella Valery Polyansky
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Rachmaninoff: Liturgy of St John Chrysostom The Liturgy of St John Chrysostom Op.31, for four-part unaccompanied choir, is a neglected masterwork, composed in the summer of 1910 alongside the second set of piano preludes Op.32. Rachmaninoff’s devotion to his task was such that he went so far as to learn how to read medieval Russian musical notation. In a letter to his friend Nikita Morozov, he reported: ‘I began work almost on the spur of the moment and then suddenly became absorbed by it. And then I finished it in next to no time. Not for ages have I written anything with such enjoyment.’ The Liturgy consists of 20 anthems, some based on existing chants, others entirely of Rachmaninoff’s own invention. The result is a work that expresses his deep sense of communion with this ancient repertoire as never before. The premiere on 25 November 1910 was, according to one member of the congregation, an unforgettable occasion: ‘Rachmaninoff came out on stage wearing a black frock coat instead of the customary tail-coat. His tall, thin figure at the podium, and the sharp features of his face were particularly striking and beautiful; he embodied the mood of the whole concert and immediately transfixed the audience. Their solemn silence, intense concentration and inspired faces attested to the fact that Rachmaninoff’s music had found its way to their hearts.’ The Holy Synod subsequently forbade the Liturgy’s performance in church, finding the style too modern and overtly expressive, although concert performances in both Moscow and St Petersburg met with acclaim.
Compact Disc 1 1
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Who cleaneth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities. Who redeemeth thy life from corruption, and crowneth thee with mercy and compassion. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, long-suffering and of great goodness. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and bless His Holy Name.
LITURGY OF ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM OP.31
Great Ektenia Lord have mercy. (after each prayer) For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls. For peace in the whole world. For the good of all churches and the union of man. For the Metropolitan, the bishops, the priests and the deacons. For our people and our country and all those who rule and protect it. For every city and land. For healthful seasons, abundant harvests and peaceful times. For travelers by land, sea and air. For the sick, the suffering and those held captive. For our deliverance from all tribulations, wrath, danger and necessity. First Anthipon Bless the Lord, O my soul, and bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits,
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Second Antiphon O only begotten Son and Word of God who art immortal, yet didst deign for our salvation to be incarnate of the holy Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, and without change wast man; and wast crucified also, O Christ our God, and by thy death didst Death subdue; who art only of the Holy Trinity, glorified together with the Father and the Holy Spirit: save us.
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Third Antiphon Remember us, O Lord: When thou comest in Thy Kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
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Blessed are the meek; for the shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for the righteousness; for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the sons of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and slander you for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad; for great is your reward in Heaven. 5
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Entrance Hymn Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, O Son of God, who art risen from the death, save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia.
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Trisagion Hymn O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us.
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Fervent Supplication Lord, have mercy.
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Cherubimic Hymn Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing to the life-giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn, let us now lay aside all earthly care: that we may receive the King of all, who comes invisibly upborne by the Angelic Hosts. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Ektenia of the Prothesis Lord, have mercy. Grant this, O Lord.
10 Nicene Creed I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible: And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried:
And the third day He rose again, according to the scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the death, Whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets; And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the Life of the world to come. Amen.
Compact Disc 2 1
Anaphora Let us attend: mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise. It is meet and right to worship Father, Son and Holy Spirit: the Trinity, one in Essence, and undivided. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full thy glory; Hosanna in the highest: Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
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Hymn of Praise We praise thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O Lord, and we pray unto thee, O our God.
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Hymn to the Virgin It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, who are ever blessed and all-blameless, and the mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim,and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without stain barest God the Word, and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee.
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The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
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The Elevation One is Holy, One is Lord: Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
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Communion Hymn Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise Him in the highest. Alleluia.
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Blessing Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord: the Lord is God and hath revealed himself unto us. We have seen the true light, we have received the heavenly Spirit; We have found the true faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity: for He hath saved us.
Hymn of Praise Let our mouths be filled with praise, O Lord, that we may sing of thy glory: for thou hast permitted us to partake of the holy, divine, immortal and life-giving Mysteries. Establish us in thy Sanctification, that all the day long we may meditate upon thy righteousness. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Blessed be His Name Blessed be the Name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore.
10 Glory to the Father Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O MOTHER OF GOD VIGILANTLY PRAYING 11 O Mother of God vigilantly praying, Pleading for the world’s hopes and needs, Blessed be the bosom of the one Who gave birth to God and remained Virgin.
CHORUS OF SPIRITS from the poem Don Juan (A.K. Tolstoy) 12 On the dewy hills and valleys, On the mirrored surfaces of the lakes, Along the purest creeks and rivers, Everywhere I look nature echoes excitement and joy. Spring triumphantly celebrates our God! PANTELEY THE HEALER (A.K. Tolstoy) 13 Noble Panteley crosses his field, the flowers and herbs are at his waist. All the plants and grasses reach out to him, all the flowers bow for him, Their secrets are all known so well to him, both beneficial and poisonous. He greets the good herbs with a bow and salutation. He threatens the harmful ones with his knotty staff.
He gathers the beneficial herbs leaf by leaf and his bag is soon full. For his poor, ailing brothers he shall brew a healing potion. Noble Panteley, have mercy one us. Heal our wounds with thy miraculous balm, the balm which will heal our hearts and ease the pain of our souls. Help the deaf, the dumb, the blind and the evil-minded with your herbs. But there are those who refuse to be healed, they loathe psaltery music. All things that cannot be weighed or measured, they shout, must be abolished. They claim that only which can be seen or heard is real. Noble Palentely, do not spare your knotty staff against these dirty and loathsome people.
Recorded: 2003 Licensed from Claves Records Cover photograph: Thinkstock / Hemera 훿 2012 Brilliant Classics
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Also available in the Musica Sacra series
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Telemann: Passions-Oratorium Freiburger Vokalensemble Wolfgang Schäfer 94318 2CD
Haydn: Die sieben letzten Worte Chamber Choir of Europe Nicol Matt 94290
J.S. Bach: Johannes-Passion Choir of King’s College, Cambridge Stephen Cleobury 93942 2CD
Berlioz: Te Deum Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra Eliahu Inbal 93945
J.S. Bach: Oster-Oratorium Motettenchor & Kammerorchester Pforzheim / Rolf Schweizer 94350
Haydn: Stabat Mater Stuttgart Chamber Chorus Frieder Bernius 93949
Handel: Messiah Choir of King’s College, Cambridge Stephen Cleobury 93948 2CD
Rachmaninoff: Vespers The National Academic Choir of Ukraine ‘Dumka’ Yevhen Savchuk 9100
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