Album Notes

The Moscow Sretensky Monastery Choir was created at a fateful moment in Russian history, when full-scale spiritual life became possible once again after decades of persecution. At that time Russians realized that the majestic cathedrals and monasteries that had miraculously withstood the times of trouble should once again come alive with sounds of church chants – the uniquely sonorous singing which Russia has always been famous for.

In those days a large men’s choir was created at the Sretensky Monastery, mainly for the purpose of accompanying the Divine Services. The musicians of the choir are like-minded highly talented young singers who strive for spiritual growth and firmly believe in cultivating the living tradition of Russian music. The experience of singing in the church has filled the sound of the choir with an extraordinary spirit that comes across in its entire repertoire from sacred hymns to folk songs to experimental contemporary music. Some of the choristers are composers who write original choral works and arrange both sacred and secular music.

Alongside the daily Divine Services the choir has taken on yet another mission: to research, arrange and interpret early Russian music that was banned under the Soviet regime, as well as to perform the works that were created during the Communist times and expressed the true nature of the Russian people, in spite of the official ideology. The choir is famous for its contemporary interpretations of the ancient masterpieces.

The choir is highly regarded by Holy Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy. The group regularly accompanies him in Divine Services and other special events. Its daily life unfolds under guidance and patronage of the monastery’s abbot archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov). Father Tikhon is the founder of the choir, its artistic and spiritual leader.

Nikon Zhila is the artistic director of the Sretensky Choir. He is a graduate of the Gnessin Music Academy. Thanks to him the choir has achieved the highest technical standards and its signature filigree style of singing. Under his leadership the choir has toured extensively in Russia and abroad. It has participated in the consecration of several important cathedrals in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Rome. The most notable performances also include the Vatican, Notre Dame de Paris, the headquarters of the Serbian government, as well as a number of music festivals. The choir is currently preparing for a world tour in celebration of the reunification of the Russian Orthodox Church in the autumn of 2007.

For more information, please visit www.sretenskychoir.com.