Christmas Hymns - Greek Byzantine Choir [1993]
Christmas Hymns - Greek Byzantine Choir [1993]
1. Romanos the Melodist, Kontakion: Today the Virgin 2. Petros Bereketis, 3 Heirmoi: Odes 1,5,9 3. Iakevos Protopsaltis, Doxastikon for the Sunday preceding Christmas: Glory Be To The Father 4. Kathisma: Come, O Ye Faithful and Let Us Behold 5. Heirmoi for the 1st Canon of Christmas: Odes 1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 6. Petros Lambadarios: Glory to God in the Highest 7. Petros Lambadarios & Verses from the Great Doxology: Today Christ is Born 8. Chant for Communion: The Lord Hath Sent Deliverence Unto His People 9. Petros Lambadarios, Troparion: Thou Wast Born Secretly in the Cave 10. Petros Lambadarios, Exapostilarion: Our Savior Has Descended Unto us From on High 11. Petros Lambadarios, Doxastikon: Glory to the Father, to the Son & to the Holy Spirit (The Magi, Kings of Persia) 12. Petros Lambadarios, Sticheron: All the Angels in Heaven 13. Petros Lambadarios, Apolytikion: Thy Nativity, O Christ Our God 14. Balasios The Priest, Calophonic Heirmoi: A Star Has Already Risen 15. Ioannis Trapezountios: Kratima Greek Byzantine Choir Lycourgos Angelopoulos - conductor
These are hundreds to over a thousand year old Byzantine hymns, of ancient beauty and devotion. Features one of the best chanters (Psalti) and choruses, Angelopoulis, who also appears on several CD's of ancient Roman chant (was Byzantine in style) done by Harmonia Mundi label's Marcel Peres, who brings to life ancient church music. The melodies are often in a minor key, are of great beauty and the words are from or paraphrased from the Bible. Entrancing. Getting an English translation would make it easier to appreciate if you don't know Greek; see the booklet. One of the best. ---Karl Schulte, PMA,, amazon.com
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