Cappella Romana’s conductor Alexander Lingas directs the Cappella Romana vocal ensemble in an exhilarating Christmas celebration like no other. Presenting Byzantine chants for Christmastide in Greek, Arabic, and English. This debut release by PRÓTO, The Sun of Justice: Byzantine Chant for Christmas, presents traditional chants for the Byzantine celebration of Christmas, including selections from The Royal Hours, Vespers, Matins, and the Divine Liturgy. A deluxe 32-page booklet is included with full text in Greek, Arabic, and English. Featuring classical chants in Greek primarily by Petros Peloponnesios (1730–1778). Adaptations into Arabic primarily by Mitri El Murr (1880–1969) and those into English by John Michael Boyer (b. 1978) closely echo the originals in form, style, and grace. Featuring over two hours of traditional Byzantine chants for Christmas. Próto is a collaboration of two protopsaltes (“first cantors”): John Michael Boyer, Protopsaltis of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco; and the Reverend Deacon John Rassem El Massih, Protopsaltis of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Their shared vision in excellence in traditional Byzantine Music within the liturgical life of Orthodox Christian parishes, as well as the advancement, development, and composition of traditional Byzantine Music in the English language is stunning. That’s the short of it!
The Sun of Justice: Byzantine Chant for Christmas
1. Bethlehem Make Ready (Idiomelon of the First Hour in Mode 4)
2 . Joseph Spoke Thus to the Virgin (Doxastikon of the First Hour in Mode 4)
3. Today Born of a Virgin (Doxastikon of the Ninth Hour in Traditional Cantillation in the Reader's Mode)
4. Today Born of a Virgin (Antiphonal Doxastikon of the Ninth Hour in Mode 2)
5. Glory... Both Now... When Augustus Reigned (Doxastikon at "Lord I Cried" in Mode 2)
6. Secretly You Were Born (First Troparion at the Prophecies in Mode 2)
7. You Have Dawned from a Virgin, O Christ (Second Troparion at the Prophecies in Mode 2)
8. Your Nativity, O Christ (Apolytikion of Christmas in Mode 4)
9. Christ Is Born (Ode 1 of the First Canon of Christmas in Mode 1)
10. Today the Virgin (Kontakion for Christmas Day in Mode 3)
11. Magnify, O My Soul (Ode 9 of the First Canon of Christmas in Mode 1)
12. Glory to the Father... When the Moment Came (Doxastikon of the Praises in Mode 2)
13. Both Now and Forever... Today Christ Is Born ("Both Now" of the Praises in Mode 2)
14. Psalm 65 "Let All the Earth" (Prokeimenon of the Apostle in Mode 4) [Adapted by J.R. El Massih]
Disc 2
1. Bethlehem Make Ready (Idiomelon of the First Hour in Mode 4)
2. Joseph Spoke Thus to the Virgin (Doxastikon of the First Hour in Mode 4)
3. Today Born of a Virgin (Doxastikon of the Ninth Hour)
4. Today Born of a Virgin (Antiphonal Doxastikon of the Ninth Hour in Mode 2)
5. Come Let Us Rejoice in the Lord
6. Glory... Both Now... When Augustus Reigned (Doxastikon at "Lord I Cried" in Mode 2)
7. Secretly You Were Born (First Troparion at the Prophecies in Mode 2)
8. You Have Dawned from a Virgin, O Christ (Second Troparion at the Prophecies in Mode 2)
9. Your Nativity, O Christ (Apolytikion of Christmas in Mode 4)
10. Now Christ Is Born (Ode 1 of the First Canon of Christmas in Mode 1)
11. Magnify, O My Soul (Ode 9 of the First Canon of Christmas in Mode 1)
12. Glory to the Father... When the Moment Came (Doxastikon of the Praises in Mode 2)
13. Both Now and Forever... Today Christ Is Born ("Both Now" of the Praises in Mode 2)
14. Psalm 65 "Let All the Earth" (Prokeimenon of the Apostle in Mode 4)
15. Christ Is Born (Kalophonic Eirmos in Greek in Mode 1)
Digital Booklet: The Sun of Justice: Byzantine Chant for Christmas Album Only
Release Date: December 8, 2017
Number of Discs: 2
Cappella Romana
2 hours 4 minutes
Remarkable singing and vocal ensemble accompaniment by the Cappella Romana vocal ensemble. Presenting music with passion and scholarship in its exploration of early and contemporary music of the Christian East and West.
Simone Dinnerstein, The Eye is the First Circle Review
Bryce Dessner, Solos Review
