Posts by Benedict Sheehan
A Reflection on Arvo Pärt’s “Kanon Pokajanen”
On June 2, Saint Vladimir’s Seminary’s ambitious Arvo Pärt Project wrapped up with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir performing Arvo Pärt’s Kanon Pokajanen (1997) in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Temple of Dendur. The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, under the direction of Maestro Tõnu Kaljuste, is one of the world’s premier choirs, and their performance that night…
Continue reading »Concert—Deep Roots Are Not Reached by the Frost: The Enduring Russian Sacred Choral Tradition, 1830 to the Present
On May 31, at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Danbury, CT, the St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Chamber Choir will give a concert of Russian Orthodox liturgical music in the final installment of the church’s third annual “Music on the Mount” concert series. The St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Chamber Choir is an ensemble of Orthodox professional…
Continue reading »The Patriarch Tikhon Choir – Their Sound Hath Gone Forth
For Immediate Release The Patriarch Tikhon Choir, a unique choral ensemble made up of professional singers from Russia and North America, under the direction of renowned Moscow conductor Vladimir Gorbik, will perform their premiere concert series of Orthodox sacred choral works entitled “Their Sound Hath Gone Forth,” Monday, September 16, 2013, at St. Malachy’s –…
Continue reading »The Gorbik Master Class — An Auditor’s Reflection
The following article was written by my wife, Maria Sheehan. There was great anticipation in the choir from St. Tikhon’s as the day for Maestro Gorbik’s arrival approached. The seminarians were already carrying their normal course load, many caring for their families in addition to maintaining their duties as clergy or altar servers. Yet in…
Continue reading »St. Tikhon’s Seminary to Present “Hymns of Holy Russia in the New World”
A Master Class and Concert with Vladimir Gorbik — Feb. 28 to Mar. 3, 2013 As part of its 75th anniversary celebration, Saint Tikhon’s Seminary will host a rigorous three-day master class for the select student choirs of three of America’s premier Orthodox Christian seminaries — Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, and Holy Trinity…
Continue reading »Russia—A Musical Pilgrimage
A Travelogue December 27, 2012 – January 9, 2013 Vladimir Gorbik Conductor, teacher, mentor, friend—Vladimir Gorbik is arguably the finest living conductor of Russian church music, and the reason for my journey to Moscow this past December and January. Over the course of about two weeks I was privileged to work closely with him and…
Continue reading »‘Memory Eternal’ — A New Recording from St. Tikhon’s Mission Choir
Memory Eternal: an Orthodox Christian Requiem, my most recent recording with St. Tikhon’s Mission Choir, was just released this month. The CD is a recording of the entire Panikhida (Orthodox memorial service), plus two extra pieces—one at the beginning and one at the end—and is based completely on arrangements of Russian Chant melodies. Many of the…
Continue reading »Services for the Departed – a forthcoming book from St. Tikhon’s Press
Services for the Departed is anticipated in print in early 2013! With this volume, we offer to the English-speaking Orthodox world music for the Panikhida and Burial services based entirely on melodies from authentic Russian chant originals, something that heretofore has not existed in English in any one volume. Furthermore, we have endeavored to present these…
Continue reading »A ‘Small Entrance’ into Orthodox Christian Sacred Music: Part Two – The Songs of Men
This is post 2 of 2 in the series “A ‘Small Entrance’ into Orthodox Christian Sacred Music” Benedict Sheehan Traces the hierarchy, function and story of sacred music. A ‘Small Entrance’ into Orthodox Christian Sacred Music: Part One -The Song of the Angels A ‘Small Entrance’ into Orthodox Christian Sacred Music: Part Two – The…
Continue reading »A ‘Small Entrance’ into Orthodox Christian Sacred Music: Part One -The Song of the Angels
This is post 1 of 2 in the series “A ‘Small Entrance’ into Orthodox Christian Sacred Music” Benedict Sheehan Traces the hierarchy, function and story of sacred music. A ‘Small Entrance’ into Orthodox Christian Sacred Music: Part One -The Song of the Angels A ‘Small Entrance’ into Orthodox Christian Sacred Music: Part Two – The…
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