Benedict Sheehan: Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
$9.98 – $49.98
2021 GRAMMY® Nominee for Best Choral Performance
Cappella Records is pleased to announce the October 23 release of Benedict Sheehan’s Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, the world première recording of a major new choral work of elegance and beauty. The Liturgy is performed by the professional Saint Tikhon Choir, conducted by the composer.
Sheehan’s Liturgy is the first of four planned releases on Cappella Records produced by multi-GRAMMY® Award winner Blanton Alspaugh and the engineering team at Soundmirror. Soundmirror’s outstanding orchestral, solo, opera, and chamber recordings have received more than 100 GRAMMY® nominations and awards, with releases on every major classical label.
This is also the first release of The Saint Tikhon Choir on Cappella Records. The Choir recently recorded a collaboration on Naxos with three other choirs and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s conducted by Leonard Slatkin, which debuted at #1 on Billboard. They also previously recorded the sacred works of Benedict Sheehan for Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Press.
The 2-disc deluxe set features both CD and PureAudio Blu-ray™ media with high-resolution 2.0 Stereo and 5.0 Surround versions (DSM192K/24bit), recorded in DSD and downloadable to audio servers and devices. The Blu ray™ also contains three video performances: two concert selections from the world première performance and the complete liturgical première sung at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, DC. The accompanying booklet provides an extensive essay by the composer, the full text of the Divine Liturgy, and beautiful photography.
Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
- Great Litany
- First Antiphon - Psalm 102
- Second Antiphon - Psalm 145
- Only-Begotten Son - The Hymn of Justinian
- Third Antiphon - The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12)
- O Come, Let Us Worship
- Holy God
- Alleluia (Based on Znamenny Chant)
- Cherubic Hymn
- Litany of Supplication
- Anaphora
- It Is Truly Meet
- Our Father
- One is Holy
- Communion Hymn - Psalm 148 (Based on Valaam Chant)
- Liturgy Ending
- Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Also on the Blu-rayTM disc
1. Cherubic Hymn 8:05
(World premiere performance, 26 May 2019)
2. Communion Hymn 7:14
Psalm 148 (as above)
3. Complete Liturgy 2:08:12
(Liturgical premiere, 20 October 2019)
The Living Church Magazine
Sheehan and his fine singers have brought to life a new piece that bridges the gap both between the centuries and between the traditions of East and West. ” –Geoffrey Williams
Audiophile Audition
The work itself is fresh and vibrant… This is a superb effort on many fronts, not least of which is the quality of the work itself. The production is engineered by the wonderful technicians at Soundmirror, which is self-recommending, and the St. Tikhon’s ensemble is spot on, captured in brilliant surround sound. ” –Steven Ritter
Fanfare
The music’s warmth and, above all, its assurance that what the performers sing is true is remarkable. … as an experience, the Blu-ray service is unforgettable. This could constitute a rare entry of religious music into my Wants List ” –Colin Clarke
Fanfare
the music Sheehan has created for this Liturgy is of extraordinary beauty, depth of feeling, and spiritual exaltation. Although it sometimes rises to the heights of ecstasy, the predominant mood, conveyed by beautiful, gently undulating melodic lines, is one of serenity and contemplation, permeated by a sense of awe and otherworldly mystery. ” –Daniel Morrison
Fanfare
The CD alone would make this release a must-have; the accompanying Blu-ray disc is even more of a knock-out. … If you were to have only one recording of the Orthodox liturgy in your collection, I would unhesitatingly recommend that this be it; urgently, glowingly recommended. ” –James A. Altena
MusicWeb International
Sheehan’s music is very beautiful and inventive… the level of invention and musical dedication is consistently high throughout. … Benedict Sheehan’s music is wonderful but so too is the performance by The Saint Tikhon Choir. The singers make a fantastic sound which consistently delights the ear. ” –John Quinn
Cinemusical
To say that this is a gorgeous performance feels a bit sacrilegious, and yet that is indeed one way to describe the stunning music and choral work.… Regardless of one’s faith expression, this music on its own has the power to heal your soul and transform you from the present moment. ” –
HRAudio.net
When listening to it I became wondrously aware that the magic of what Benedict Sheehan conveys so impressively with this world premiere recording, may offer to many, whether or not being an active believer, that so much needed refuge ” –Adrian Quanjer
ConcertoNet
this album is an addition of rare grace and refinement to the living music heritage of the Eastern rites. It will delight the Orthodox and the discerning non-Orthodox music-lover equally, and, perhaps, in its own way, contribute to greater understanding in a fragmented and disjointed world. ” –Linda Holt
Joe Sales
I highly recommend this album to those who enjoy liturgical music especially music that is rich in history and tradition. Let the voices of the Saint Tikhon’s Choir bring the liturgy to you especially during these difficult times. ” –Joe Sales
Blu-Ray.com
it should be enjoyed generally by lovers of well wrought choral music, regardless of whether or not they have this, or indeed any, religious belief. Recommended. ” –Jeffrey Kauffman
