Kurt Sander Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom 2HDCD

Choral Masterpiece In Superb Audiophile Sound!

2020 Grammy Award Nominee:
• Best Choral Performance: Sander: The Divine Liturgy Of St. John Chrysostom

Reference Recordings is very pleased to present the second release in the series from the PaTRAM Institute, rising stars whose debut album on the label, Chesnokov: Teach Me Thy Statutes (FRSA727), has recently garnered a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Choral Performance. The music performed on this recording of Russian Orthodox choral music in the English language was written by Dr. Kurt Sander.

Conductor Peter Jermihov writes: "The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom by Kurt Sander is unique in several respects. Within the body of repertoire contained in the Russian­based jurisdictions of North America (Moscow Patriarchate, Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and the Orthodox Church in America), it is the first and only complete setting of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in English. Rooted in the 19th Century Russian models of such masters as Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Gretchaninoff, and others, Sander’s Liturgy grows out of the monumental choral edifices of these masters and rightfully belongs in their midst."

The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is performed by the PaTRAM Institute Singers, a highly professional group of Russian and American male and female vocalists, joined by soloists Evan Bravos, Keven Keys, Protodeacon Vadim Gan, Glenn Miller, and Daniel Shirley.

Alexis and Katherine Lukianov, Cofounders of PaTRAM Institute state: "The Patriarch Tikhon Russian American Music Institute strives to present Orthodox sacred music in its highest possible form, uniting deep spirituality, a profound love for the rich traditions of Orthodox Christian singing, and an uncompromising standard of musical professionalism rooted in the great traditions of Russian choral composers. In addition, we seek out unique church venues for our recordings to couple the music with an acoustically rich, Orthodox Worship environment. We trust that the listener will thoroughly enjoy the merits of this important and beautiful new Divine Liturgy delivered in English by Drs. Sander and Jermihov and our talented artists in the New Gracanica Church."

This release was recorded and mastered by the team at Soundmirror, whose outstanding orchestral, solo, opera and chamber recordings have received more than 100 Grammy® nominations and awards. For over 40 years, Soundmirror has recorded for every major classical record label, including Reference Recordings.

The acoustic is reverberant, as would be expected from a recording made in a church, but not excessively so. The sound is blended but not murky, doing full justice to the beauty of the music and the singing. The sumptuously illustrated booklet includes the full text of the liturgy as well as informative essays by Sander, Jermihov, and others. This release should appeal strongly to anyone with an interest in a cappella choral music and would be likely to convert anyone who has not yet developed such an interest.

To both those who are already aficionados of Orthodox liturgical music, and to neophytes interested in an introduction to Orthodox music and worship, this release is cordially recommended.

The PaTRAM Institute sings in a much warmer acoustic, and the music has a 19th-century warmth of its own that makes this an altogether remarkable experience of Orthodox liturgy. The venue was a monastery near Chicago. The singers bring a vast dynamic range to the music and exquisite tonal quality throughout. The basso profundo is Glenn Miller, who has been heard in similar repertoire. This is quite spectacular.

Features:
• Double disc
• HDCD
• Mastered at Soundmirror
• Total time: 90:06
• Made in USA

Musicians:
PaTRAM Institute Singers
Evan Bravos
Keven Keys
Protodeacon Vadim Gan
Glenn Miller
Daniel Shirley
Peter Jermihov, conductor

Selections:
Disc 1:
1. Great Litany
2. Bless The Lord, O My Soul
3. Small Litany
4. Praise The Lord, O My Soul
5. Only-Begotten Son
6. Small Litany
7. The Beatitudes
8. O Come Let Us Worship
9. O Lord, Save The Pious
10. Trisagion: Holy God
11. Alleluia
12. Litany After The Gospel
13. Litany Of The Catechumens
14. Litany Of The Faithful
15. Second Litany Of The Faithful
16. Cherubic Hymn
17. Litany Of Oblation
18. The Anaphora: A Mercy Of Peace
Disc 2:
1. Hymn To The Theotokos
2. And Each And Every One
3. Litany Before The Lord's Prayer
4. The Lord's Prayer
5. One Is Holy
6. Praise The Lord From The Heavens
7. Blessed Is He That Cometh In The Name Of The Lord
8. Receive The Body Of Christ
9. We Have Seen The True Light
10. Let Our Mouths Be Filled With Thy Praise
11. Small Litany
12. Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord
13. Many Years