Panagia - Orthodox Hymns to the Mother of God

The repertoire on this CD reflects the "ever-presence" of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary (Panagia) in Orthodox hymnography. Out of the vast range of possibilities, Archangel Voices has selected a mix between works that are familiar and traditional and those that reveal new vistas of the sacred repertoire. A number of works—by such Russian masters as Chesnokov, Kastalsky, Nikolsky, and Yaichkov—are appearing for the first time in English adaptations. Works by relatively unknown 20th-century composers such as Ilyashenko and Cecil A. Bailey are brought to light for the first time. Works by modern-day Orthodox composers, currently living and creating in North America—Archpriest Paul Harrilchak, Vladimir Morosan, Kurt Sander, Benedict Sheehan, Richard Toensing, and Nazo Zakkak—round out the program.

Tracks

1. It Is Truly Fitting~Dmitry Yaichkov (arr. of Bulgarian Chant)

2. O Most Holy Theotokos​~Pavel Chesnokov

3. Open unto Us the Doors of Compassion~​Alexander Kastalsky

4. Virgin Theotokos, Rejoice~Kurt Sander

5. General Canon to the Theotokos, Odes 1, 3, 6, 9~Pavel Chesnokov

6. My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord~Pavel Chesnokov

7. Praises for the Nativity of the Theotokos, Sticheron 1~Model melody "Oh, most glorious wonder," Tone 8

8. Praises for the Nativity of the Theotokos, Sticheron 2~Model melody "Oh, most glorious wonder," Tone 8

9. Praises for the Nativity of the Theotokos, Sticheron 3~Model melody "Oh, most glorious wonder," Tone 8, arr. Nazo Zakkak

10. Stichera for the Entrance of the Theotokos~Model melody "Joy of the Heavenly Hierarchies"

11. Communion Hymn "I Will Receive the Cup of Salvation"~Vladimir Morosan

12. Verses 9th Ode for the Presentation of the Lord~Nazo Zakkak (arr. of Byzantine Melody)

13. Troparion for Annunciation "Today Is the Beginning of Our Salvation"~Nazo Zakkak

14. Magnification for the Annunciation "With the Voice of the Archangel"~Dmitry Bortniansky

15. Exaposteilarion for the Annunciation "The Mystery of God"~Andrei Ilyashenko

16. O Victorious Leader~Pavel Chesnokov (arr. of Kievan Chant)

17. Akathist Hymn to the Mother God - Ikos 1~Traditional Moscow Melody

18. Awed by the Beauty~Richard Toensing (arr. of Byzantine Chant)

19. All of Creation~Kurt Sander

20. The Angel Cried~Alexander Nikolsky (arr. of Russian "Greek" Chant)

21. Festal Hymn to the Theotokos for Pentecost "Rejoice, O Queen"~Vladimir Morosan (arr. of Znamenny Chant)

22. Stichera at Lord, I Have Cried for Dormition~Model melody: "Oh, the marvelous wonder," Tone 1

23. Apostles, Assembled Here~Melody of the Kievan Caves Monastery

24. Apostles, Assembled Here~Grigory Lvovsky (arr. of Kievan Caves Monastery Melody)

25. Beneath Your Compassion~Dmitry Bortniansky (arr. of a traditional hymn)

26. My Queen Most Blessed~Traditional Monastery Melody

27. I Have Thee as a Fountain (from the Paraklesis Canon)~Nazo Zakkak

28. We Have No Other Help~Cecil A. Bailey

29. O Vineyard, Fair and New~Traditional Georgian Hymn (English adaptation by B. Sheehan)

30. We Learn From the Angel~Archpriest Paul Harrilchak (arr. Galician Carol)