@Armadistic I think to become the Bishope in 36 and the Metropolitan and the right hand of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia in 43 is also a brilliant career.
Never heard of this composer: but what a powerful composition.. He needs to be promoted so others will become aquainted with his music. Thanks for posting.
I did not grow up in the Orthodox tradition, so I may be biased, but I don't find this equal to Bach. (I am an Episcopalian with a Catholic background.) I sang the Bach St. Matthew for the first time at Oxford with the Oxford Bach Choir and the Britten Sinfonia in the Sheldonian Theatre. The orchestration just doesn't compare, the fugues are not as complex, and the vocal writing is not as fluid. I mean no disrespect and am happy that others find this moving. Blessings to all.
This piece will be performed in English in Dallas, TX, at Highland Park Presbyterian Church at 5:30 p.m. on February 13, 2011. Metropolitan Hilarion will be in attendance.
@wegast . Thanks. Metropolitan Hilarion will deliver the Annual Fr. Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture on Saturday, February 5, 2011, at 3:30 p.m. in the John G. Rangos Family Foundation Building at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. The title of this year’s lecture is “The Meaning of ‘Icon’ in the Orthodox Church.”
So this isn't by Bach, but it's Alfeyev's take on what would be equivalent to Come ye daughters? Sounds very smooth and fluid, especially with those cellos being continuously played. Wonder if there are any other renditions of this for comparison.
I find interesting the use of the "Alleluia." In the Roman Catholic Church, the "Alleluia" is not sung at all during the Lenten season. And considering that the Passion of Christ is the pinnacle of the Lenten season, I find it interesting he uses the "Alleluia" during this opening.
@pavs3737 It's a difference between East and West that goes back to the first millenium. The Quinisext Council of 692 held in the East, for example, criticizes the Latin churches for omitting the Alleluia during Lent. The Latin argument is that Alleluia is the praise of angels, and during Lent we focus on how our sins separate us from God. The Eastern approach is that Lent is in anticipation of Pascha and so the joy of heaven ought to be present, too.
It's harrowing. I like it. It sounds more pathetical (sentimental) than a liturgical song for me (although I prefer liturgical music). It's so surprising from an orthodox bishop.
One must not forget that this piece is first and foremost a work of Classical music, not a liturgical composition. BUt if you listen well--and you can compare with Bach's composition with the same title--you will find it very different, imbued with a particualr spirit, that of Russian ORthodoxy precisely! On the whole I think this work surpasses even Bach's!
I heard this in Rome with Bishop Hilarion present. The auditorium on the Via delle Conciliazione was packed full of priests, bishops, and cardinals. What a great connection between the Orthodox and Roman churches!
For those interested in purchasing a CD containing Bishop Hilarion's "St Matthew Passion", it can be ordered from the producer: RA lic. iur. Urs Weber, Goethestrasse 61, CH-9008 St. Gallen, Switzerland (tel. +41-71-243-00-20, fax. +41-71-243-00-11).
@Splendance I was able to purchase it through AMAZON.COM in the US. 2 days after placing the order i was informed it was shipped from Switzerland at a VERY modest shipping charge of less than $3.00 US. Will let you know how long the shipping will take.
the English version of Bishop Hilarion's "St Matthew Passion" will be performed in St Paul's Basilica in Toronto, Canada, on 24 October 2008, by the St Michael's School Boys Choir and Orchestra.
I'm going to sing this with university kids, im only eleven :3
Trinifae 1 month ago
Extraordinarios , perfectos un deleite para los sentidos
fannyjemwong 7 months ago
Спасибо Илариону Алфееву
RockyExtreme 8 months ago
@Armadistic I think to become the Bishope in 36 and the Metropolitan and the right hand of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia in 43 is also a brilliant career.
maxinmoscow 9 months ago
This is so much spirit, simply refreshing the past years in classical music.
Axios
adraganz 9 months ago
Amazing!
sblackmun 10 months ago
The author of this music is a Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church now.
maxinmoscow 11 months ago
This was performed in Geneva, Switzerland just yesterday, but I couldn't attend unfortunately...
Lysandros 1 year ago
What a beautiful piece! The thick instrumentation and rich harmonies complement the traditional dark colours of the Orthodoxy beautifully.
eavilla89 1 year ago
Never heard of this composer: but what a powerful composition.. He needs to be promoted so others will become aquainted with his music. Thanks for posting.
wljmrbill 1 year ago
I did not grow up in the Orthodox tradition, so I may be biased, but I don't find this equal to Bach. (I am an Episcopalian with a Catholic background.) I sang the Bach St. Matthew for the first time at Oxford with the Oxford Bach Choir and the Britten Sinfonia in the Sheldonian Theatre. The orchestration just doesn't compare, the fugues are not as complex, and the vocal writing is not as fluid. I mean no disrespect and am happy that others find this moving. Blessings to all.
texlad04 1 year ago
This piece will be performed in English in Dallas, TX, at Highland Park Presbyterian Church at 5:30 p.m. on February 13, 2011. Metropolitan Hilarion will be in attendance.
wegast 1 year ago
@wegast . Thanks. Metropolitan Hilarion will deliver the Annual Fr. Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture on Saturday, February 5, 2011, at 3:30 p.m. in the John G. Rangos Family Foundation Building at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. The title of this year’s lecture is “The Meaning of ‘Icon’ in the Orthodox Church.”
oifj1r3v 1 year ago
Beautiful.
archiecat989 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Amazing !!!!!!!
Thank you !!
danaorth1 2 years ago
Comment removed
danaorth1 2 years ago
So this isn't by Bach, but it's Alfeyev's take on what would be equivalent to Come ye daughters? Sounds very smooth and fluid, especially with those cellos being continuously played. Wonder if there are any other renditions of this for comparison.
mapple23 2 years ago
Ouch! Dear Gooooooooooooood! Amazing!!!!!
Vihor189 2 years ago 8
yes... I agree with you my friend.... Great Music!
and I am so glad you love it...and understand!
BachLoveNat 2 years ago 5
Очень хорошо!!! Даже не ожидали... Спасибо Илариону Алфееву!!!
MrAnnaMF 2 years ago 4
La No++e checking all the way in~+~+~*
HaliacetusLeuco 2 years ago
AMAZING! Finally Orthodox vocal-instrumental music /// DIVNO! konacno vokalno - instrumentalna pravoslavna muzika
CantorNeoplatensis 2 years ago 2
pavs3737 - what an astute observation!
lefekir 2 years ago
I find interesting the use of the "Alleluia." In the Roman Catholic Church, the "Alleluia" is not sung at all during the Lenten season. And considering that the Passion of Christ is the pinnacle of the Lenten season, I find it interesting he uses the "Alleluia" during this opening.
Any thoughts?
pavs3737 2 years ago
While I hate being wikipedia for folks, the Alleluia is not omitted from the Liturgy during Lent in the Liturgies of the East.
KingAriston 2 years ago
@KingAriston
Very interesting. Thanks for that! Wikipedia sometimes works just fine!
pavs3737 2 years ago
@pavs3737 It's a difference between East and West that goes back to the first millenium. The Quinisext Council of 692 held in the East, for example, criticizes the Latin churches for omitting the Alleluia during Lent. The Latin argument is that Alleluia is the praise of angels, and during Lent we focus on how our sins separate us from God. The Eastern approach is that Lent is in anticipation of Pascha and so the joy of heaven ought to be present, too.
StealthGoblin1 1 year ago
It's harrowing. I like it. It sounds more pathetical (sentimental) than a liturgical song for me (although I prefer liturgical music). It's so surprising from an orthodox bishop.
suzanik 2 years ago
One must not forget that this piece is first and foremost a work of Classical music, not a liturgical composition. BUt if you listen well--and you can compare with Bach's composition with the same title--you will find it very different, imbued with a particualr spirit, that of Russian ORthodoxy precisely! On the whole I think this work surpasses even Bach's!
Lysandros 2 years ago 2
I heard this in Rome with Bishop Hilarion present. The auditorium on the Via delle Conciliazione was packed full of priests, bishops, and cardinals. What a great connection between the Orthodox and Roman churches!
pavs3737 3 years ago
I had the opportunity to hear this composition by Bishop Hilarion in real life!
I'm just really taken that Bishop Hilarion of Austria was able to come up with the melody in his head during one of his road trips. wowie!
VivaPink 3 years ago
Bach, gods gift to humanity, immortal. Saved from exile by the Jew Moses Mendelssohn's family if you can enjoy the paradox of that.
Amiduffer 3 years ago
OMG....
Thank you from my heart!!!!!!!!!!!!
BachLoveNat 3 years ago 4
For those interested in purchasing a CD containing Bishop Hilarion's "St Matthew Passion", it can be ordered from the producer: RA lic. iur. Urs Weber, Goethestrasse 61, CH-9008 St. Gallen, Switzerland (tel. +41-71-243-00-20, fax. +41-71-243-00-11).
Splendance 3 years ago
@Splendance I was able to purchase it through AMAZON.COM in the US. 2 days after placing the order i was informed it was shipped from Switzerland at a VERY modest shipping charge of less than $3.00 US. Will let you know how long the shipping will take.
aa4285 1 year ago
This piece is absolutely incredible! As powerful as the Bach Passions, with the added power of the Orthodox hymns. When is it coming out on CD?
UserCanada288 3 years ago 13
the English version of Bishop Hilarion's "St Matthew Passion" will be performed in St Paul's Basilica in Toronto, Canada, on 24 October 2008, by the St Michael's School Boys Choir and Orchestra.
Micoraweb 3 years ago
This is something that only a genius can write down and good musicians/singers that "make" the idea real. It's so full and glorious!
Klosarvladimir 3 years ago