This program focuses on one of the most beloved hymns of the Paschal season--the festal Hymn to the Theotokos “The Angel Cried,” which is part of the 9th Ode at the end of the Paschal Canon and also replaces the regular Hymn to the Theotokos at the Divine Liturgy. The text, called sometimes “the Second Annunciation,”: is as follows:
The Angel cried out to her who is full of grace,
“Rejoice, O most pure virgin.
Again I say, ‘Rejoice!’
Your Son is risen after three days in the tomb.
With Himself He has raised all the dead.
Rejoice, ye people!”
Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem!
The glory of the Lord has shone on you.
Exult and be glad, O Zion!
Be radiant, O pure Theotokos, in the resurrection of your Son!
The settings on this program are are as follows:
An anonymous znamenny chant from 16th century Russia, sung by the Sisters of the Novotikhvinsky Monastery in Ekaterinburg, Russia. CD E16 - Let Us Sing to the Lord (currently unavailable, but individual tracks can be downloaded from http://sestry.ru)
An anonymous Bulgarian Chant, sung by the Lege Artis Chamber Choir of St. Petersburg, Russia, Boris Abalyan, conductor; CD C79 - Selections from Medieval Russian Vocal Art
A Byzantine Chant composed by Georgios Raidestenos II, sung by protopsaltis Konstantine Bilalis
From CD I-70 - Resurrection! Hymns and Chants of Holy Pascha, Archangel Voices, Vladimir Morosan, conductor.
Frederick Karam – 9th Ode of the Paschal Canon
Pavel Makarov - The Angel Cried
Mily Balakirev - The Angel Cried
Peter Tchaikovsky - Angel vopiyashe - Gloriae Dei Cantores, Elizabeth Patterson, conductor. CD C03 - Sacred Song of Russia
Pavel Chesnokov - Angel vopiyashe - St. Petersburg Chamber Choir, Nikolai Korniev, conductor. CD Russian Easter (available online)
Boris Ledkovsky - Angel vopiyashe - Choir of the Resurrection Church, Moscow, Alexei Muratov, conductor. CD Chants of the Russian Emigres, vol. 4 (out of print)
Roman Hurko – Angel vopiyashe – Choir of the Protection of the Holy Theotokos Church, Elena Radko, conductor; CD B102 – Pascha of Ancient Rus’;
also available on CD K42 – Roman Hurko, Liturgy No. 2
--Vladimir Morosan
5/25/2008
