Lenten Choral Meditation; Russian Sacred Music

St. Luke’s

Episcopal Church

73 South Fullerton Avenue

Montclair, NJ 07042-2627

www.slechurch.org

973-744-6220

RUSSIAN HARMONIES FILL ST. LUKE’S

            Local Musicians Celebrate
the Riches of Russian Sacred Music

            On
Sunday, March 16 at 5:00 p.m., local music lovers will have a rare opportunity to hear music
and texts from the Russian sacred choral tradition when the Choir of St. Luke’s
Church presents “A Lenten Choral Meditation.” 

The program will feature seven anthems by nineteenth and twentieth

century composers, including Rachmaninoff, Ippolitov-Ivanov and

Arkhangelsky.  Led by St. Luke’s Music
Director, Charles Hunter, the choir will be unaccompanied, using only their
voices to illuminate the shimmering harmonies and mystical, evocative texts that
are the hallmarks of Russian sacred music.

            The
program begins with “Now the Powers of Heaven,” by Grigory Lvovsky, which
summons listeners to “draw near in faith and love.”  Mikhail Mikhailovich Ippolitov-Ivanov’s “O
Gracious Light,” juxtaposes images of God’s eternal light with the fading light
at the close of day; while Rachmaninoff’s “Rejoice O Virgin” celebrates the
Virgin Mary, using the familiar words of the Rosary. The program also features
two settings of “Bless the Lord O My Soul,” a hymn of praise.  The differing interpretations of this
important text are by close contemporaries, Ippolitov-Ivanov and Pavel
Grigorievich Chesnokov.  Angels soar through
verses and harmonies of “Cherubic Hymn #7” by Dimitri Stepanovich Bortniansky.  The music returns to earth with the final
work, “Blessed Is He Who Considers the Poor and Needy,” Aleksandr
Aleksandrovich Arkhangelsky’s anthem that invokes God’s mercy and ends with a
tribute to His life-giving power.

            “These
choral anthems are laden with the same color and symbolism as other great
masterworks of Russian religious art,” says Mr. Hunter.  “We think they will transport listeners to a different place and time, while inspiring them to meditate on themes common to all faith traditions.”

            Admission
is free.  St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is
located at 73 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair.  For further information, call the church at
(973) 744-6220 or e-mail info@slechurch.org.