Sacred Treasures: Choral Masterworks from Russia CD

The beautiful Sacred Treasures: Choral Masterpieces From Russia assembles a variety of performances from Russian and Bulgarian choirs interpreting the music of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Sung by the finest Russian and Bulgarian choirs, this extraordinary collection of transcendent prayers and hymns highlights a timeless Russian tradition of faith and devotion. For sheer beauty, there is little to match it anywhere in the world. The solemn ecstasy in the music of the Russian Orthodox Church can trace its roots back to the earliest days of Christian worship, via the great Byzantine Empire of the Near East. It presents an uncompromising search for peaks and depths of expressive fervor, aloof from all gimmicks. That was true of the music's multi-cultural roots as monastic chant, and was maintained as it evolved into full choral harmony in the late Romantic period.

Tracklist: 1 "Russian Cathedral Bells" 2 "Great Ektenia" Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Op. 31 composed by Sergei Rachmaninov performed by The Russian State Symphony Cappela 3 "Hymn of Praise" Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Op. 31 (Sergei Rachmaninov) performed by The Russian State Symphony Cappela 4 "Hymn of the Cherubim" (excerpt) Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Op. 31 composed by Sergei Rachmaninov performed by The Russian State Symphony Cappela 5 "Hymn of the Cherubim" (excerpt) composed by Dimitri Bortniansky performed by The Leningrad Glinka State Academic Choir 6 "Our Father" composed by Nikolai Kedrov Sr. performed by Bulgarian National Choir 7 Fervent Supplication (excerpt) Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Op. 31 written by Sergei Rachmaninov performed by The Russian State Symphony Cappela 8 "The Noble Jospeh" The Bulgarsky Rospev composed by P. Turchaninov performed by Men's Chamber Choir of Sofia 9 "Amen. And with Thy Spirit" Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom written by Peter Tchaikovsky performed by The USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir 10 "Russian Monastic Vespers" (excerpt) Choir of Monks from the Chevetogne Monastery 11 "Bless the Lord, O my Soul" Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom written by Sergei Rachmaninov performed by Choir of the Moscow Church 12 "Hymn of the Cherubim" (excerpt) Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Op. 41 written by Peter Tchaikovsky performed The USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir 13 "Hymn of the Cherubim" (excerpt/edited) written by Dobri Christov performed Bulgarian National Choir 14 "Our Father" Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Op. 41 written by Peter Tchaikovsky performed by The USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir 15 "I Have Chosen the Blissful" written by Alexander Gretchaninov performed by Bulgarian Radio and Television Mixed Choir 16 "Hymn of the Cherubim" written by Grigory Lvovski performed by Bulgarian Radio and Television Mixed Choir 17 "Final Bells"