A perennial Magnatune best-seller, this transcendent album features 26 hymns from the ancient church, sung by the monks of the historic Kiev-Pechersk cave monastery. Included are rare sacred music pieces by both Rachmaninov and the Italian composer J.Sarti, who was so enraptured by Orthodox singing that he left Italy for Russia in 1724 and lived there the rest of his life. Gorgeously layered, these venerable hymns bring together Byzantine traditions with those of old Russia.

The conductor of Monks Choir of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is hieromonk Kiril. He is also very good singer with very peculiar voice. His solo at" O THEOTOKOS AND VIRGIN REJOYS" is amazing and I'm sure this chant will melt your hart.

During the centuries the specific style of singing was formed in Monastery of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (don't mix up with Old Kiev Chants). The origin of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra singing is in XI century when inok Anthony, arrived from Aphona, founded the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. Lavra's hymns organically synthesize Byzantine tradition and folk-singing culture of old Rus. Under the influence of south-Slavic tunes Larva's way of singing gained a power and became one of bright characteristics of Ancient Rus. There are only two Kiev-Pechersk chants on this CD ("From My Youth" and "God With Us") because there is another CD specially dedicated to traditional worship singing of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. You can listen and buy this CD at www.cdbaby.com/anthology

In 1784, the Italian conductor and composer J.Sarti (1729-1802) visited Russia. He was so enraptured by Orthodox Church singing that he left Italy for Russia and till the end of his days he lived and worked there. He wrote many beautiful chants for Russian Church and one of this chant is represented on this CD (" O THEOTOKOS AND...