Smithsonian Journeys: Waterways of Russia
Resources for Further Study
The most wonderful source of Russian Orthodox music (CDs and music itself) is here, in the US. It was created by a scholar named Dr. Vladimir Morosan who, even as a graduate student, was determined to protect this (then endangered) tradition of Russian church singing. He built this company over many years: www.musicarusica.com. In decades when there was very little access to recordings of Russian church singing, he found and made available recordings from all over the world. He started reprinting scores (musical editions) of the old music, in new, modern, beautifully edited publications. He included helpful notes for church choirs. He has dedicated his life to a labor of love.
So, enjoy the fruits of his labor. Visit the website. You can read helpful commentary about the different recordings, purchase the actual “sheet music” (scores) for a vast body of Russian sacred songs, buy CDs, and buy downloads.
Bells
| Музыка | Muzyka | Music |
| Колокола | Kolokola | Bells |
Bells are a central element in Russian music. Here is a fine clip showing the history of Russian church bells, bell restoration, and the astonishing techniques of Russian change ringing. I can’t think of a better introduction plus it gives you a real feeling for the devotional, reverential attitude that accompanies the training with and ringing of the bells.
Chant
| Знак | znak | Sign (for notation of music) |
| Знаммены | Znamenny | Type of chant singing using these signs |
Also, visit this site to learn a lot more about the beautiful Znamenny singing (Ancient Russian Chant). You can read a great deal about early sacred music in several traditions here.
Be mindful that sometimes examples of a cappella Russian sacred singing from later periods (18th, 19th centuries) get labeled “znamenny” but aren’t. Here’s an example: a beautiful rendition of a 4-part harmonized setting of The Lord’s Prayer—Otche nash by Nikolai Kedrov. It’s one of the most beloved settings in the Russian repertoire, and it’s beautifully sung here, but it absolutely is not ancient Russian znamenny. It’s in a fully 19th-century Russian romantic style. Now, compare what you just heard (4 singers) with this rich, thick rendition, done by a full choir. You’ll enjoy the nice pictures too!
- Orthodox Church Singing
- Style brought from Byzantium
- Service is sung/chanted throughout, including prayers and readings
- Single-line melody originally
- Free-flowing and independent of Western harmonization and Western-style notation practices until 17th century
- Unaccompanied (a capella)
