The Saint Tikhon Choir – Benedict Sheehan: Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (2020) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

While many musical choices are dictated by liturgical necessity, overall, this album is an addition of rare grace and refinement to the living music heritage of the Eastern rites. It will delight the Orthodox and the discerning non-Orthodox music-lover equally, and, perhaps, in its own way, contribute to greater understanding in a fragmented and disjointed world.

“Cappella Romana: Lost Voices of Hagia Sophia was one of the nicer surprises to show up in my review queue last year, and it in fact ended up on my Top 10 list for 2019. Cappella Romana, courtesy of its label Cappella Records if not the actual vocal group itself, is back with another interesting combo Blu-ray and CD release which offers the Saint Tikhon Choir in a performance of Benedict Sheehan’s Liturgy of Saint John Chrysotom. Though based in Pennsylvania, Sheehan has a long history with Portland’s Cappella Romana, having conducted celebrated performances of Rachmaninoff’s All Night Vigil and had his own work performed by the choir. Sheehan is obviously in tune (no pun intended) with Cappella Romana’s frequent emphasis on so-called “Byzantine” music, and indeed the titular liturgy is cited as being considered one of the most holy rites in the Eastern Orthodox church.”

Tracklist:
1. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 1, Great Litany (05:16)
2. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 2, Antiphon I (Psalm 102) (06:05)
3. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 3, Antiphon II (Psalm 145) (03:47)
4. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 4, Only-Begotten Son (The Hymn of Justinian) (02:53)
5. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 5, Antiphon III (The Beatitudes) (03:31)
6. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 6, O Come, Let Us Worship (01:14)
7. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 7, Holy God (04:27)
8. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 8, Alleluia (After Znamenny Chant) (01:31)
9. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 9, Cherubic Hymn (08:05)
10. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 10, Litany of Supplication (05:01)
11. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 11, Anaphora (10:11)
12. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 12, It Is Truly Meet (04:56)
13. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 13, Our Father (02:51)
14. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 14, One Is Holy (01:36)
15. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 15, Communion Hymn (Psalm 148) [After Valaam Chant] (06:38)
16. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 16, Liturgy Ending (05:20)
17. The Saint Tikhon Choir – No. 17, Blessed Be the Name of the Lord (02:05)