Most Holy Mother of God, Save Us

Chesnokov incorporates a traditional Russian Orthodox call-and-response melody in this opening piece of his Marian cycle, To the Most Holy Sovereign Lady, opus 43. The text, from the Orthodox Intercessory Prayer Service, appeals to the Virgin Mary, called “Theotokos” (“Bearer of God”) in the Orthodox Church, for her prayerful intercession. The composer packs a powerful emotional impact into this urgent appeal, as the vocal lines build, and the textures expand then contract back to unison. Colorful, dramatic choral writing! Suitable as a general Marian anthem.
Also available with the original Slavonic text in Cyrillic and phonetics, cat. No. Cn251.
(Recorded by Archangel Voices on their CD, Panagia: Hymns to the Most Holy Mother of God, release date: November 2013)