BrotherAidan
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« on: December 15, 2006, 01:41:35 AM » |
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I was pretty excited the other day. I was out at lunch and, as I entered a building that has a giant, life-size creche in its courtyard, I heard Eastern chant on its recorded music soundtrack.
And, I RECOGNIZED IT!!! I kept going 360 degrees through the revolving glass door and went back outside to listen!
I received Anaphora's "Make Ready O Bethlehem" CD two years ago as a gift. And, as a convert and after 4 years on this journey, it is the first time I both recognized and felt an emotional attachment to an Eastern melody. It was like "hey, I know that!"
It will probably seem trivial and inconsequential to some, but western hymns are probably the main (and only) thing I miss from my protestant past. So this recognition and sense of ownership was a significant event for me.
(there was an older couple that seemed equally intrigued and stood listening; after the western music began, they left too; I should have talked to them, but it was in the city and I was a stranger so I didn't initiate a conversation; but I bet they too were Orthodox!)
My first Eastern Christmas carol!
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augustin717
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« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2006, 02:04:40 AM » |
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What do you mean by "Eastern"? Greek, Russian, Arabic etc ?
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BrotherAidan
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« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2006, 02:56:34 AM » |
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I think the chant melody was byzantine
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Thomas
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« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2006, 08:04:30 AM » |
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There are actually quite a few Orthodox Christmas Hymns and some actual carols. The Ones that people consider Carols tend to be Slavic due to their westernization and frequent influence of the west to include the popular Christmas songs of the people which are known in the west as Carols. In The middle east they tend to be termed hymns and are more likely to sound "byzantine" or chanted, whereas the Ukranian, Romanian, and Serbian Carols are more likely to be sung rather than chanted.
Archangel Voices published last year a wonderful collection of Orthodox Christmas hymns and carols under the title of "Christ is Born! Give Glory!" I have been favorably impressed and our family is learning these traditional orthodox carols in English. The CD is in English. Anaphora also has put out a great English language CD called "Make Ready O'Bethlehem" in the line of chants.
Both would make an excellent addition to your library.
In Christ,
Thomas
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« Last Edit: December 18, 2006, 07:17:39 AM by Thomas »
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Your brother in Christ ,
Thomas
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Timos
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« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2006, 12:02:48 PM » |
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In Greece/Cyprus/Asia Minor, there are a set of usually standardized carols and hymns which change melody according to region rather than wording. Imagine knowing Silent Night in 6 different melodies!
I've got a cool CD called "Light from the East" -it features Christmas carols from Eastern Europe (Slavic countries, Romania) but in English and it actually osunds very nice. Unfortunately, it did not present carols from Greece or Lebanon.
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BrotherAidan
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« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2006, 11:43:17 PM » |
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Timos
is that CD available from Light and Life? I think I've seen it.
The Orthodox "carol" I heard was Anaphora singing "Christ is Born" (Tone 1) from "Make Ready O Bethlehem"
Anyway, as a convert, it is nice to begin to move from "new and exciting" to "familiar and comfortable"
(comfortable meant in a good sense or familiar, not complacent)
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Anastasios
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« Reply #8 on: December 21, 2009, 02:32:05 PM » |
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Here is a Pontian Christmas carol that I posted last year. It's then followed by some interesting secular songs and footage of a Carnival practice Pontians celebrate(d) around this time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0ZPUq42D3M |
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Check out my personal website with 130+ articles: www.anastasioshudson.comDisclaimer: Past posts reflect stages of my life before my baptism may not be accurate expositions of Orthodox teaching. I served as an Orthodox priest from June 2008 to April 2013, before resigning for personal reasons |
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scamandrius
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« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2009, 04:29:43 PM » |
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. Anaphora also has put out a great English language CD called "Make Ready O'Bethlehem" in the line of chants.
Chanted by my godfather and two others I have been fortunate and blessed to share the chant stand with. |
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I seek the truth by which no man was ever harmed--Marcus Aurelius Those who do not read history are doomed to get their facts from Hollywood--Anonymous What earthly joy remains untouched by grief?--St. John Damascene http://myorthodoxjourney.blogspot.com/ |
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