As Western Rite churches and organizations continue to build up resources, one that deserves more attention is an album of choral music recorded by St. Patrick Orthodox Church in Bealeton, VA. This album’s the first of its kind (that I know of), providing an actual example of what a good Western Rite Orthodox choir can sound like. Scores and hymnals are well and good, but here in this recording is what the music sounds like, what it’s meant to be.
In addition to the value of the quality of the music, the pieces chosen for this album set a valuable example, too. The mixture of liturgical music with hymns, anthems, and even carols on this album was a wonderful choice. This nods toward and more fully reflects the broad Western tradition of music written for chanters, choirs, congregations, and even extra-liturgical caroling. The Western musical tradition has very carefully preserved tones and even melodies from ancient and medieval sources, while simultaneously drawing on those and other sources to develop brand new compositions and traditions. Thus the compositions chosen for this album span the ancient to the contemporary, but there’s a clear inner principle of unity, of dignity and sobriety—not to mention beauty—that ties them all together.
I also love that it orders the music by the liturgical calendar, beginning with Advent music and moving through Lent, Holy Week, Pascha, and beyond. I’m extremely impressed with the particular pieces chosen. What better way to begin an album and indicate beginning at Advent than with the Introit for the first Sunday of Advent. Including an “O Antiphon” was, of course, necessary. “Gabriel’s Message” has been a favorite Advent carol of mine for a long time, and it’s done here wonderfully. And for a Lenten selection, the setting used for the Reproaches is beautiful.
There’s a terrific general selection of semi-liturgical choral pieces included, pieces well suited for processions or communion or adoration. The arrangement of Ubi Caritas by Ola Gjeilo is literally one of the most beautiful pieces of music I’ve ever heard. There are songs suited for congregational singing, as well. The fact that “Be Still My Soul” is chosen out of the gobs of general, metrical, four-part harmony hymns out there really, really, makes me happy; it’s a beautiful hymn (and too neglected, even among Protestants) not just because of the words, but also for that amazing Sebalius hymni tune.
I could go on about the merits of this album, but specifically, as a worshiper in a Western Rite church, I mostly appreciate the value a project like this has as an example for other Western Rite parishes. Though I also think it’s valuable for Eastern Rite parishes to experience the Orthodox beauty that is produced, cherished, and preserved by the Western aesthetic tradition. Not to mention its more general value just for any lover of beauty, simply to point them to Christ. Obviously I think everyone should buy this album.