Search - camerata lipsiensis, Opella Musica :: Kuhnau: Complete Sacred Works, Vol. 3

The Akathistos Hymn to the Virgin Mary is a lyrical masterpiece in 24 stanzas that has been treasured for nearly 1,500 years by Eastern Christians. Father Ivan Moodys 1998 setting, composed specially for Cappella Romana, weaves beloved Greek melodies into Russian choral textures as it progresses from reverent contemplation to ecstatic transcendence. Vocal ensemble Cappella Romana combines passion with scholarship in its exploration of early and contemporary music of the Christian East and West. Its name refers to the medieval Greek concept of the Roman oikoumene (inhabited world), which embraced Rome and Western Europe as well as the Byzantine Empire of Constantinople (New Rome) and its Slavic commonwealth. purity and radiance in perfect realizations (Gramophone) The sound is splendid (American Record Guide) light and warmth over an ancient musical ground (Willamette Week)