Ancient Church Singing of Byzantium, Georgia, and Russsia

Four young men from Ukraine, gifted with extraordinary voices, took it upon themselves to master the liturgical style of singing of four Orthodox cultures: Byzantine, Georgian, Balkan, and Russian, both unison and polyphonic. They studied with such leading practitioners as Lycourgos Angelopoulos, and developed an expertise that not only allows them to capture the essence of each respective style, but also to imbue their singing with great spiritual focus and power. This CD serves both as an excellent introduction to a variety of Orthodox styles, and also as a truly inspiring listening experience to lovers of fine men's ensemble singing. More than that, the singing of the “Sretenie” Ensemble exemplifies a rarely-heard seriousness of purpose, a “sobriety” that all interpreters of Orthodox liturgical singing would do well to emulate.--V.M.