Russian Easter: Canon of St. John Dasascene

Russian Easter: Canon of St. John Dasascene

Artist: The Russian Patriarchate Choir; Anatoly Grindenko
Item number: AJ030
Category: Russian
Chant Type: null
Language: Old Slavonic
Label: Opus 111
Period: Medieval
Length: 57'08
Release date: 2000
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An astonishing recording in the series of CDs of early Russian liturgical music. Grindenko and the Russian Partiarchate Choir here introduce us to a transitional form of Russian chant called Greco-Russian chant that resulted from the aim to sing the originally Byzantine melodies in a simplifed form that worked with the Russian neume notation system. From a late 17th century manuscript, this chant form is characterized by part singing with three voices (parts) and this is historically positioned between early monodic chant and later polyphonic church singing. The manuscript performed is that of the Easter (night) service, and the bulk of the performance is the Canon of St. John of Damascus, sung here with many of the Troparia that constitute the Odes of the Canon. Typically in contemporary parish practice, singing of the Canon is limited to the heirmos (referred to in Greek practice as the katavasia); here many troparia are sung, interspersed with "Christ is risen...". Comprehensive liner notes and complete hymn text in English, French and German.

By: Benjamin Williams

This is a recording that transports you to a very special place for the celebration of the Easter night service. In terms of the chronology of the service, after the re-entry following the Paschal procession, the proclamation "Christ is Risen!" is made and then the service begins with the singing of the Canon. The special feeling of this central service is captured and conveyed, in a way that is unique and a with a chant sound that most are not familiar with. This is so because the chant form presented (Greco-Russian) is so unique, a transitional form in the development of Russian liturgical music from monody to polyphony, and because the peformance is so good. The musical text is again the result of the work of Russian early music scholars working with Grindenko to re-create early Russian chant forms that were previously lost to the westernization of Russian church music. The simplicity and lightness of the chant combined with the quality of the voices and the vocal nuances deliver a sense of richness and immediacy that is highly engaging. Witness the lilting yet uplifting sound of Ode 1 (track 4) that proclaims "It is the Day of Resurrection, O people, let us be glorious in splendor. Pascha! Pascha of the Lord!", or Ode 5 (track 11) which challenges us "Let us in deep dawn arise, and instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Master, and we shall see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, who causes life to dawn for all." Like all the Odes, these are theologically pregnant statements but seems to float in the air full of joy and hope. Add to that the fact that this is the most loved music of the Easter service and that while typically in most parishes only the hiermos is sung but here most of the Canon is chanted, and the result is a winner. Listening to this CD will not be restricted to the Easter season. It is uplifting and encouraging at any time of the year.