‘The Sretensky Monastery is one of the most ancient monasteries in Moscow. It was founded in 1395 to commemorate the city’s victory over Tarta invaders. In 1917, the monks of the Srtensky Monastery were arrested by the Soviet authorities and exiled to prison camp.’ (www.sretenskychoir.com).
Fast forward ninety years from that arrest, the sacred sounds of the all male 41-member, Moscow Sretensky Monastery Choir, which formed in 1994, reverberated around the walls of the sacred St Paul’s Cathedral on a Friday night.
The spiritual quality of this accomplished a cappella group illuminated the sombre subjects of its hymns and ballads, such as God is With Us: Hymn from Great Compline, and were charmingly uplifting and effervescent in for example, Evening Bells. The mood of each song was easily detectable despite the Russian lyrics.
Looking down the pews, many members of the audience sat with their eyes closed, absorbing the overflowing crescendos from the lower ranges of the tenors, or the galloping momentum of the patriotic songs overlayed with an occasional whistling, and ending with a firm ‘Hoy!’
It was a tranquil recluse from the hustle and bustle of the evening city crowd. The Russian Orthodox Church goers in Moscow are indeed privileged to be engaging in the act of worship accompanied by such a considered classical ensemble.
The Sretensky Choir
Melbourne
Venue: St Paul’s Cathedral, Flinders Street
Date/Time: Friday 21st September, 8pm
Sydney
Venue: Sydney Town Hall
Date/Time: Sunday 23rd September, 5pm
Tickets: Full: $50, Conc: $45, Group Bookings: $38
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au | 136 100 or purchase at the door
