HOLY RESURRECTION OF CHRIST: AN EASTER CONCERT BY RUSSIAN SEASONS
Around the world, Orthodox Christians will celebrate the Glorious Festival of Easter. “Russian Seasons” could not miss such an event and prepared a special present – a grand Easter concert with the Moscow Synodal Choir and the Epiphany Cathedrals Holiday Choir. The broadcast, which will take place on May 2, will not leave any viewer unaffected. It will remain in their hearts for a long time.
“The Holy Festival of Easter is an important event in the life of an Orthodox Christian. Last year we showed a live broadcast of the Easter service and received an abundance of positive feedback and comments from our viewers. This year, in collaboration with the Moscow Synodal Choir and the Holiday Choir of the Epiphany Cathedral, we have prepared a special concert. It will give joyous and vivid emotions to all those that are watching. It combines Eastern traditions, Russian culture, and the performer’s unparalleled skills.” – Aleksei Lebedev, Russian Seasons director.
The Easter Concert consists of two parts: The Moscow Synodal Choirthat was recorded at the Church of the Beheading of John the Baptist near Bor. Festive choir of the Epiphany Cathedral – in Elokhovo. In both churches, the ringing of the bells was filmed. The film crew was able to fully capture the whole range of the bell ringers’ musical skills. The duration of the concert is 45 minutes.
The Moscow Synodal Choir performed pieces at the Easter Concert: The Everlasting Council and We Sing to Thee with soloist Evgenia Kuznetsova, Christ Anesti, Today All Creatures, Resurrect God, and This Day. The festive choir of the Epiphany Cathedral sang: Dormant in the Flesh, and The Angel Cried with the soloist Oksana Sekerina, as well as Bless, It Is Worthy, God will arise, Christ is Risen.
The year 2021 marks the 300th creation anniversary of the Moscow Synodal Choir by a decree of Tsar Peter the Great in 1721. Throughout its history, the collective has participated in both cardinal church services and significant state ceremonies. The Moscow Synodal Choir performs concert programs in Moscow, Russia, and abroad; the choir performs in over 40 countries around the world.
The choir represents Russian culture in many international projects – the ensemble has been chosen as a partner of the Vatican’s main choir – The choir of the Pontifical Musical Sistine Chapel.
The Moscow Synodal Choir is a regular participant in Russian Seasons. On September 28 and 29, 2019, the choir performed in Berlin as part of the international cultural project “Russian Seasons” in Germany. The project “Stay Home with Russian Seasons” included broadcasts of concerts by the group conducted by Alexei Puzakov in support of the restoration of the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Easter charity concert, and the oratorio – St. Matthew Passion.
“Our Synodal Choir is pleased to welcome every Russian Seasons spectator! We’ve prepared a present for you – an Easter concert, which you can enjoy on May 2 at 20:00, on the “Russian Seasons” website in the special “Stay Home” section. You’ll also be able to spectacle the ringing of the bells in addition to the choirs singing. It’s not just any sound, it’s real, pure music that can reach anyone. To hear the bells ringing is genuine bliss. Thank you for staying with us, watching, sharing with your friends. See you on the broadcast!” – Alexei Puzakov, artistic director and chief conductor of the Moscow Synodal Choir.
The Festive Choir of the Epiphany Cathedral’s time of creation dates back to 1943. This year, on September 3, at the Epiphany Cathedral, it was the first time that Blessed Metropolitan Sergius, the Patriarchal Locum Tenens, subsequently, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, served in the cathedral upon his return from Ulyanovsk. Today the traditions of this celebrated ensemble are continued by Alexander Mayorov, a representative of the young generation of choral conductors, a graduate of the Sveshnikov Moscow State Choral School, and the Popov Academy of Choral Art.
The team is actively involved, not only in the liturgical activities of the Cathedral, but also in cultural events, both in Russia and abroad: Moscow Easter Festival, Russia Singing, Bread and Salt, the Day of Slavic Script and Culture, Easter Gift, participation in the annual memorial events at the Russian chapel in Kranjska Gora (Slovenia), International Christmas Readings, Days of Russian Spiritual Culture in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, participation in Russian Orthodox Churchs fundamental events.
The Easter Concert will be broadcast on May 2 at 20:00 Moscow time, in the special “Stay Home with Russian Seasons” section.