St. John Koukouzeles-Orthodox Chants

St. John Koukouzeles-Orthodox Chants

Artist: K. Popov, Sofia Priest Choir
Item number: AL005
Category: Bulgarian
Chant Type: Bulgarian
Language: Church Slavonic
Label: Gega New
Period: Contemporary
Length: 63'34
Release date: 2002
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Price: $15.99 USD
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1. Praise the Lord from the Heavens

2. Glory to the Father

3. I Shall Love Thee, My Lord

4. Meet It Is

5. The Day of Resurrection

6. Blessed Is the Man

7. In Thy Kingdom

8. O Gladsome Radiance

9. Cherubic Song

10. Bless the Lord, O My Soul and Small Litany

11. Our Father

12. Great Doxology

13. Bless the Lord, O My Soul

14. Meet It Is

15. The Angel Cried

16. The Judicious Villain


The unique chants in this release dedicated to St. John Koukouzeles, a great historical figure in Bulgarian musical culture, are performed by Sofia Priest Choir, cond. Kiril Popov, Sofia Boys? Choir, cond. Adriana Blagoeva, Madrigal Sofia Chamber Choir, cond. Stoyan Kralev, Sofia Orthodox Choir, cond. Miroslav Popsavov, Soloists: Priest Boncho Chakov, Nikolina Pankova, Priest Stanoi Andonov, Konstantin Mirinski, Dimiter Bonev, Vanilia Kissyova, Yury Lefedjiev, Sunai Mouratov, Nicola Ghiuselev. Included in it are compositions by St. John Koukouzeles, Yoan H. Ohridsky, Hieromonk Neophyte Rilski, Dobri Hristov, Apostol Nikolaev-Stroumsky, and Peter Dinev

By: Benjamin Williams

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church contains two traditions of church singing: eastern (one-part), and choir (polyphonic). The eastern one-part singing follows the rules of the ancient Byzantine chant, as well as the requirements of the eight tones (modes). The second tradition - that of polyphonic choir singing, has developed since the second part of the 19th century, when Russian polyphonic choir music came into Bulgaria. A lot of Bulgarian composers begin created their works according to the Russian polyphonic singing. The release presents both traditions collectoed to honor St John Koukouzeles. The chants have been recorded by a variety of well known Bulgarian church choirs, as well as choirs whose repertoire includes a lot of East Orthodox music.