Orthodox music | Chorus-Mastovsko!

Performers: Paulina Grondys — cello

Jarosław Wolanin — conductor

Silesian Philharmonic Choir

Program: Romuald Twardowski — God of the Eternal Nation

Pyotr Tchaikovsky — Cheruvimskaya No. 3

Piotr Czajkowski — The Confused Me Chose

Sergei Rachmaninov — Glory in the Most High God

Ioan D. Chirescu — Cinema Goes Next?

Ioan D. Chirescu — Axion of the Nasterea Maicii Domnului

Alfred Schnittke — Three Sacred Hymns

Anna Khazova as Agni Parthene (premiere)

John Tavener — Svyatyj for choir and cello

Arvo Pärt — Two Slavonic Psalms

Piotr Ślęczek — Tropar for Christmas (premiere)

Orthodox music for centuries amazes with the extraordinary beauty of the choral sound. Created primarily for the human voice, devoid of instrumental splendor, it is based on the power of common singing, spiritual depth and exceptional harmony. During the next concert from the series Choir — Masterfully! The Silesian Philharmonic Choir under the direction of Jarosław Wolanin will present a program showing the richness of the musical tradition of the Christian East and its contemporary interpretations.

The evening will be opened by compositions inspired by the Orthodox liturgy and the festive tradition of Christmas. In addition to Romuald Twardowski's “God of the Eternal Nation”, there will be works by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Sergei Rachmaninov — composers who created some of the most beautiful cards of Russian church music. Their songs impress with their richness of sound, melodiousness and extraordinary ability to build an atmosphere of prayerful concentration.

The programme will be enriched by compositions by Romanian composer Ioan D. Chirescu and Three Sacred Hymns by Alfred Schnittky, a work in which the Orthodox tradition meets the language of contemporary music. A special place will also be given to the premiere of Anna Khazova's Agni Parthene, inspired by one of the most famous Marian hymns of the Orthodox Church.

A special moment of the concert will be the performance of Svyatyj by John Tavener for choir and cello. The British composer, fascinated by the spirituality of the Christian East, created music extremely sparing and at the same time deeply moving. The cello part, performed by Paulina Grondys, conducts a dialogue with the choir, creating a space full of contemplation and inner silence.

The programme will also include Two Slavonic Psalms by Arvo Pärt, one of the most prominent contemporary creators of sacred music. The Estonian composer's minimalist language, based on simplicity and focus, has been appealing to listeners around the world for decades with its timeless power of expression.

The concert will culminate with the premiere of Tropar for Christmas by Piotr Ślęczek. The new composition will be part of the centuries-old tradition of liturgical music of the Christian East, showing that it remains a living source of inspiration also for contemporary artists.

It will be an evening of music full of light, prayer and spiritual reflection — music that has transcended the boundaries of language and cultures for centuries, speaking directly to the emotions of listeners.

CONCERT INFORMANT