PGM 485R "SACRED TREASURES"

(click program title above for 30 second MP3 promo clip)

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PGM 485R : "SACRED TREASURES"
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PGM NOTE : choral masterworks from Russia
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FEED DATE : 3-21-08
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INTRO: The choral music of the Russian Orthodox Church has a
history that extends back to the ancient monastic chants of the
Byzantine empire, over a thousand years ago.

In Russia, the music of the Orthodox church evolved into some
of the purest and most beautiful music ever written for the
unaccompanied human voice. The Russian sacred service, sung
in the old high Slavonic language and called "The Divine Liturgy,"
is designed to set the soul soaring beyond earthly cares.

The solemn bells, flickering candles, golden icons, and deep
reverberation of the Russian cathedrals create the context;
the profound basses, the angelic sopranos, and the exquisite
harmonies of the large mixed choruses — all make this one of
the most soul stirring forms of 'sacred spacemusic' in existence.

This extraordinary collection of Orthodox prayers and hymns from
guest producer ELLEN HOLMES highlights a timeless Russian
tradition of faith and devotion. Featured composers are some of
the great all-stars of Russian liturgical music: familiar names
like RACHMANINOV and TCHAIKOVSKY, church composers like
TURCHANINOV, KEDROV, BORTNIANSKY, and the great Bulgarian
composer DOBRI CHRISTOV.

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[ All music in this program is from the compilation album
SACRED TREASURES: CHORAL MASTERWORKS FROM RUSSIA;
Hearts of Space 11109-2; 1998. Produced by ELLEN HOLMES ]

BELLS
Russian Cathedral Bells < 0:00->0:21 >

SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Great Ektenia < 0:21->4:08 >
Hymn of Praise < 4:08->7:12 >
Hymn of the Cherubim (excerpt) < 7:12->11:55 >
Performed by The Russian State Symphony Cappella;
Valery Polyansky, director

DIMITRI BORTNIANSKY
Hymn of the Cherubim (excerpt) < 11:55->15:51 >
Performed by The Leningrad Glinka State Academic Choir;
Vladislav Chernushenko, director

NIKOLAI KEDROV SR.
Our Father 15:51->19:48 >
Performed by "Svetoslav Obretenov" Bulgarian National Choir;
Georgi Robev, conductor

SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Fervent Supplication (excerpt) < 19:48->23:34 >
Performed by The Russian State Symphony Cappella;
Valery Polyansky, director

BULGARSKY ROSPEV
The Noble Joseph < 23:34->26:13 >
Performed by the Men's Chamber Choir of Sofia;
Dimitre Rouskov, director; arranged by P. Turchaninov

PETER TCHAIKOVSKY
Amen, and with Thy Spirit < 26:13->27:29 >
Performed by The USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir;
Valery Polyansky, conductor

BELLS
Russian Cathedral Bells (repeated) < 27:29->28:09 >

MONASTIC VESPERS
Russian Monastic Vespers (excerpt) < 28:09->29:38 >
Performed by the Choir of Monks from the Chevetogne Monastery;
R.P. Philippe Baeer OSB, director

SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Bless the Lord, O My Soul < 29:38->34:46 >
Performed by the Choir of the Moscow Church "Joy to All Sorrows";
Nikolai Matveyev, conductor

PETER TCHAIKOVSKY
Hymn of the Cherubim (excerpt) < 34:46->42:27 >
Performed by The USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir;
Valery Polyansky, conductor

DOBRI CHRISTOV
Hymn of the Cherubim (excerpts/edited) < 42:27->49:07 >
Performed by "Svetoslav Obretenov" Bulgarian National Choir;
Georgi Robev, conductor

PETER TCHAIKOVSKY
Our Father (extended) < 49:07->53:22 >
Performed by The USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir;
Valery Polyansky, conductor

GRIGORY LVOVSKI
Hymn of the Cherubim < 53:22->58:19 >
Performed by the Bulgarian Radio and Television Men's Choir;
Mikhail Milkov, director

BELLS
Final Bells < 58:19->58:59 >

: SACRED TREASURES: CHORAL MASTERWORKS FROM RUSSIA [compilation];
Hearts of Space 11109-2; 1998
: Info: www.valley-entertainment.com/Artists/Sacred_Treasures

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PRODUCED BY : ELLEN HOLMES, STEVE DAVIS and STEPHEN HILL
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BAY AREA WEATHER : sacred spring
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(c) 1998-2008 Hearts of Space
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