More Honourable Than the Cherubim

Mikhail Davydov (bass-baritone) & PaTRAM Institute Male Choir, Vladimir Gorbik

The Patriarch Tikhon Russian-American Music Institute strives to present Russian Orthodox choral music in its highest possible form, uniting deep spirituality, a profound love for the rich traditions of Orthodox Christian singing, and an uncompromising standard of musical professionalism rooted in the great traditions of Russian choral composers. The 2019 PaTRAM Institute Recording Project was to record the sacred works of Alexander Gretchaninoff, but as the project was in development, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral), First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia, had granted his special permission and blessing to allow the 725-year-old wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God of the Sign to travel with the PaTRAM Choir to the recording location in Saratov, Russia. The timing of the recording also coincided with the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. In honour of this event, the repertoire was changed to a compendium of sacred masterpieces by various composers, glorifying the Most Holy Lady Theotokos. The album brings together singers from five countries, including an unprecedented nine octavists, to form the fifty-six-member international PaTRAM Institute Male Choir.

Chesnokov:
 Sovet prevechny (Eternal Counsel), Op. 40 No. 2

Degtyarev:
 At Thy Deathless Dormition

Dinev:
 It Is Truly Meet

Ivanov, F A:
 Weep Not for Me, O Mother

Ledkovsky:
 We Have No Other Help

Rachmaninov:
 O mother of God vigilantly praying

Shvedov:
 Liturgy No. 1

Trubachev:
 Oh, How Sweet Is Thy Voice
 Troparion to the Donskoy Icon of the Theotokos

Uvarov:
 The Angel Cried Out