Titled “Full of Grace,” the CD was recorded as a liturgical service and aims to help Orthodox Christian choirs from various backgrounds render the liturgical service beautifully, in accordance with their make-up and musical abilities.
“This recording had two goals from its inception,” said Robin Freeman, lecturer in Choral Conducting at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary and Director of the chorale on the CD. “One: to offer choirs of various competencies and sizes the opportunity to learn new and do-able musical settings for this feast day; and two: to render the complete service in a liturgical setting, so that Orthodox Christians who are infirm and cannot get to their parishes, can still in some way participate in this great feast.”
Many of the hymns for the CD were rearranged by Dr. Nicholas Reeves, Assistant Professor of Liturgical Music at the seminary. The priest’s part in the service is chanted by Archpriest Dr. Alexander Rentel, the John and Paraskeva Skvir Lecturer in Practical Theology at Saint Vladimir’s, and the deacon’s part is chanted by Deacon Gregory Hatrak, who also is Marketing and Operations Manager for SVS Press and Bookstore.
“The psalms and hymns newly arranged for this recording respond to an indigenous necessity for monophonic chants, possessing value on their own without accompanying parts,” said Dr. Reeves, “that is, chants withisons, as well as standard four-part harmonies.
“Understanding the hierarchy of polyphonic function, something long established in Orthodox cultures, can allow the interpreters of these hymns to render them in multiple ways as is best suited for their particular context,” he explained.
“Texts for the entire service, beginning with the verses after the Psalm ‘Lord I Call Upon Thee,’ are in the liner notes of the CD,” noted Deacon Gregory. “We want to make it easy for our brothers and sisters who are confined to their homes or nursing facilities to join us for this wonderful feast—singing and reading along.”
The CD may be ordered at www.svspress.com/full-of-grace-great-vespers-for-the-feast-of-the-dormition-of-the-theotokos/.
