sacred miscellany

One of the first countries to become Christian, Armenia is a mystery to most of us. This recording done by John Graham at Geghard Monastery is more than beautiful.  It is a connection to a different place and time. Graham is a historical musicologist resident in Georgia (the country, not the state) who coordinates tours in this region. His website at  John Graham Tours  is rich with photos and commentary - and of course, massive amounts of music, both sacred and folk. I stumbled across his site several years ago. And now I'm saving my shekels, pennies, euros, pesos, etc. for a tour. In the meantime, take a look at these amazing countries and people. There is so much beauty in this world when we take our eyes off the sidewalk in front of us, isn't there?

What more could anyone ask for? Thanks, Sjaella.

What better way to start a New Year than with music as creative and beautiful as this. The ensemble is Cypriot and of course, the lyrics are obscure - mountains and eagles. Starting off with a rainstorm of hand percussion, hang in there. It's worth it for the singing.

Here's a nice seasonal (OK, a little early) work by a Northern Irish composer. Sean Doherty (born 1987) is also a member of the New Dublin Voices. He has won numerous prizes and is getting a good amount of performance. Interesting note: his Ph.D. dissertation was "Solfaing: A History of Four-Syllable Solmization to the Present Day." I'm sure this would be a treat to read for all the shape-note singers out there with a scholarly bent.

OK - this is my very, very favorite ensemble right now. The repertoire, the balance, the women's voices.  And yes, the men aren't bad either.

Here's a slow, lined-out hymn. For many of us, it may seem excruciatingly slow. However, when you begin to poke around in the hymnody of those groups that have remained separate, such as the Amish and the Old Regulars, you find all the hymns are slow. And it's my guess that chant was very much like this in its own time. When you explore folk traditions from Native American to Bulgarian, you'll find a great deal of slow singing. We're just in a hurry nowadays.

If you've ever tried to keep a choir together while they're walking - especially walking AWAY from you, you'll appreciate this. Best moment - the director's smile at the very end.

Listen and enjoy! If you want to know more about the ensemble, its members, etc., go to  http://www.voces8.com . Amazing singing.

This is a lovely trio, not sacred but beautiful. And it's accompanied by lovely photos of Wales. The singers are part of a band called Plentyn. And I could only find information on them in Welsh. It is a song of farewell. The singer is leaving for England to find work with harp and song.

A wonderful setting of Hildegard's chant. The composer is my favorite of the moment, Ola Gjeilo, and the singers are Sjaella. It's rather long at 4 minutes and 36 seconds, but nothing by Hildegard is short. Entrancing listening as I'm having a second cup of coffee from my Hildegard of Bingen mug (jealous, aren't you?). Learn more about this Leipzig-based ensemble from their website at  https://sjaella.de/start-en.html Of course, those beautiful voices are matched with good looks and youthful spirit. For the scoop on Ola, go to  http://olagjeilo.com/

It's my opinion that you just can't go wrong with this ensemble. And for all you lovers of William Byrd's music, this is quite tasty. Since a two-for-one seems appropriate on the first day of summer, here's is a second video by VOCES8 of the well-known song by Stephen Paulus, "The Road Home." While this piece is very popular with collegiate choirs, its sentiment is perhaps more apt for those who have traveled further on life's path. Enjoy one or both! And welcome to summer.

A composer from Norway, a women's ensemble in the Netherlands - and with this piece a felicitous combination.  Based on one of the best chants out there. You can learn more about Gjeilo (pronounced Yay-low) from his website . The ensemble Vocaal Kerkrade also has a website in Dutch . And sometimes just listening is enough!

This is another great recording of real people singing real music. If you want to skip the shapes (the "fa sol la" syllables), start at 1:13.

You may have noticed my fondness for the International Baltic Sea choral competition. Why? I love the variety and the new composers (or at least new to me). Here’s another selection by a Lithuanian choir.  And one of my favorite texts.

You can't go wrong with Palestrina!

The smooth movement of the parts, almost like the shading of sunlight on a branch. Perfect for All Souls Day.

A lovely a cappella hymn, sung by real people in a real moment. These are Mennonites, standing graveside after a funeral.  You may not want to listen through all the stanzas. However, as you listen, think how pleasant it would be to have someone singing for you.

Can anything be lovelier? I won't say more than this. Take a moment to breathe with the music.

You're probably wondering if it isn't a little early for the Howells' Christmas carol. Not really if you have a good choir and might consider it for December. And not really if you'd just like to hear some fine singing from this ensemble. Here's the text: Here is the little door, lift up the latch, oh lift! We need not wander more but enter with our gift; Our gift of finest gold, Gold that was never bought nor sold; Myrrh to be strewn about his bed; Incense in clouds about his head; All for the Child who stirs not in his sleep. But holy slumber holds with ass and sheep. Bend low about his bed, for each he has a gift; See how his eyes awake, lift up your hands, O lift! For gold, he gives a keen-edged sword (Defend with it Thy little Lord!), For incense, smoke of battle red. Myrrh for the honoured happy dead; Gifts for his children terrible and sweet, Touched by such tiny hands and Oh such tiny feet. Frances Chesterton You can learn more abo...

This Church Slavonic version of Agni Parthenon (O Virgin Pure) is interesting. Four singers, one of whom never moves his mouth (so who knows if he’s singing at all, even the ison). What's Valaam? An island in the northwestern part of Russia and an ancient monastery. The island in Lake Lagoda has bounced back and forth between Finland and Russia. The chant is peculiar to the place, much simpler than Byzantine chant with strong resemblance to Znammeny (the Russian chant that preceded the introduction of polyphonic chant). You can learn more about Valaam and its history on Wikipedia or just enjoy the pictures on  the Russian website . Monasteries are very important in the Orthodox world as points of pilgrimage and as the home of monks whom the laity respect as spiritual advisors. This is a hymn beloved throughout the Orthodox world. Sing it to a room of Greeks and several will weep. Why? I think it's the tune, based on Greek folk style. It sounds like home, like a song about y...