Concerts
Russian Choral Master Works of the Orthodox Church
Buckfast Abbey, Devon.
Saturday 12th November 7.30pm
- Entry Free, Retiring Collection
The programme includes works by:
- Tchaikovsky
- Rachmaninov
- Chesnokov
- Arensky
- Pärt
- Grechaninov
During the 10th century, at a time when the people were still pagan, Prince Vladimir of Kiev sent envoys to study the various religious rites and to decide upon one of them. For a number of reasons they rejected the Roman Catholic church, Islam and Judaism.
Then the emissaries visited the church of Hagia Sophia in Byzantium, with its central dome and smaller domes and half-domes, its lamps illuminating the gold silver and gems with which it was adorned. There they first heard the majestic music of the Byzantine church and wrote back "We no longer knew if we were in Heaven or on Earth; such beauty. We know not how to tell of it".
Russian ecclesiastics have always objected to the use of musical instruments in church. No orthodox church in Russia ever has an organ. It was felt that only the human voice was worthy of use in the veneration of the Almighty. As a consequence, the arts of unaccompanied singing and composing for the choral medium have been carried to a high perfection.
Looking Ahead
Spring 2012:
St.Lawrence Chapel, Ashburton - Saturday 24th March 7.30pm
- A programme of music celebrating the natural world
(Details to follow)
Summer 2012:
July - our summer tour
- programme and venue details to be confirmed.
Watch this space!
For enquiries email info@ashburtonsingers.co.uk
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