Topic: Oriental Orthodox Music

[prodromas]

Yeah sorry about that. A friend of mine handles the technical side of things; not sure why right click doesn't work. Nevertheless, a pop-up dialogue giving you the option to save the file to a particular location should open upon clicking the link.

Nah, it just opens another window with the music file playing as opposed to downloading it.

[EkhristosAnesti]

Hmmm...I'll speak to my friend about getting right click enabled once he returns from his short trip. Thanks for pointing out this little glitch.

[Salpy]

Awesome Christmas carols:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtghP14OlR0

[Salpy]

The chant used in this Indian Orthodox liturgy is lovely:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PERH9s_7nn4&feature=channel

[Salpy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcKLN4-drww

The above video captures hymns from the Armenian liturgy.  It starts with a hymn sung at the beginning of the great entrance and ends with a hymn sung when the gifts are consecrated.  Unfortunately, the camera is mostly on the choir, rather than the altar.  However, at about 4:40, you see the part where the priest lifts the nushkhar and says, "Take, eat, this is My Body..." and raises the cup and says, "Drink this, all of you.  This is My Blood..."  At the very end, you can kind of see the priest blessing the gifts, as the deacon censes them.

[Salpy]

A discussion about deacons in the Armenian Church was split off and put here:

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,19286.html#lastPost

[EkhristosAnesti]

The Gospel reading of Jn 2:1-8 in Coptic chant is available for download on my website here.

[Salpy]

This video has some of the Sunrise Service (Arevakal) prayers, which were discussed in replies 206-209, above.  I'm pretty sure this comes from the "Arevagal in Geghart" CD I mentioned in reply 206:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSL-fwC5Oqs

The four prayers which are being sung are translated into English in our OO prayer thread, reply 2:

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,13200.msg183101.html#msg183101

You hear each prayer starting with the word "Looys" being sung.  "Looys" means "light."

[Salpy]

Again, from the "Arevagal in Geghart" CD I mentioned in reply 206, some more of the Sunrise Service prayers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIxdjpBvM8U&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1tWsPERd2E&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F_cQHo2VcI&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaLMko0Gi8Y&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvKF-O2y-Qo&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYGr9KPo24Y&feature=channel_page


These are posted in the order that they are sung during the service, except that the "Looys" hymns I posted just above a couple of weeks ago should be inserted fifth in order.

[Salpy]

I'm not sure where this hymn is from.  It's not in the Arevakal service.  If my Classical Armenian is correct, it means, "Open to us, Lord, the door of Your mercy, so we may cry to you with lamenting."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9C59SqdMRU&feature=channel_page

[Yeznik]

I'm not sure where this hymn is from.  It's not in the Arevakal service.  If my Classical Armenian is correct, it means, "Open to us, Lord, the door of Your mercy, so we may cry to you with lamenting."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9C59SqdMRU&feature=channel_page

This is a part of the Lenten service, I think its done on Palm Sunday. This hymn is sung by the priest, who kneels before the alter when the curtain is closed and uses a hammer striking a piece of wood, symbolizing knocking on a door, while singing Batz Mez Der.

[Salpy]

So that's where it's from!  I love that service.  It is always so nice to look upon the altar again after so many weeks of the curtain being closed.  Thanks for the info.   

This Palm Sunday service is mentioned in reply #1 of the following thread about OO Churches and Lent:

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,11249.msg152436.html#msg152436

[Salpy]

The Nicene Creed, chanted in Classical Armenian:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou1tln1Kb0s&feature=related

[_Seraphim_]

The chant used in this Indian Orthodox liturgy is lovely:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PERH9s_7nn4&feature=channel

This video is indeed lovely... I also like part 1. 
In fact, I like the chant in part 1 so much that several months ago I decided to use a short part of the chant on my website homepage. 
(http://www.orthodoxmysteries.com)

Here is the part of the video I used:
Mar Beshanania Orthodox Church Vanchithra

[Salpy]

This is a litany, sung during the Armenian liturgy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmWf5p5Ry6U&feature=channel

[dhinuus]

I have uploaded some hymns used by the Malankara Syriac Orthodox (Jacboite and Indian Orthodox) Church during the Great Lent. In the Syriac tradition, on each Sunday of the Lent, we commemorate different miracles by our Lord. These hymns are for the most part desribing various miracles. I have made an attempt to give a rough English translation of the hymns in the info section of Youtube.

Hymn from the Third Sunday of Lent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCQYsmTvHyY

Hymns from the Fifth Sunday of Lent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86VYfeG5ISc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGVhV0diWxg

In Christ,
Mathew G M

[minasoliman]

From another thread:

Yes, you reminded me of the vowels:

There is a particular hymn sung in Lent right after the reading of the Synexarium (Saints of the Day), called "Megalo" or "The Ever-Greatest."  The hymn's first verse (which I think is pure Greek) is the longest part of the hymn, and it goes like this:

"Meghalo arshe-erevs yestos e-onas ak-ranton agios o Theos, agios Yes-sheros, agios athana-tos, o estavro-tees de-emas, e-leyson e-mas."

"The ever-greatest pure highpriest forever is the holy God, holy Mighty, holy Immortal, who was crucified for us, have mercy upon us."

from http://tasbeha.org/media/index.php?st=Hymns%2FFasts%2FGreat_Lent%2FCantor_Gad_Lewis%2FMeghalo%2FMeghalo_Lesson_1.116.mp3 (this is also lesson one of the hymn, if you like to learn it)

Here's a full recording from Arch-Psalter Ibrahim Ayad, the Psalter at St. Mark's Cathedral in Cairo (Papal residence).  This is Megalo plus the Trisagion:

http://www.umich.edu/%7Eawadd/hymnsmtg/hymns/08lent/m.ibrahim/M.Ibrahim_Ayad_Meghalo_%28Live%29.mp3

God bless.

PS  This is just one of a plethora of "vowelated" (for lack of a better word) hymns that the Coptic Church has; these are usually hardest to learn.

Ah, yes, and an analysis of the hymn Megalo if you like.  By the way, the hymn has three verses before it goes into Apenchois.  So this is only a third of the very looooong hymn.  It's why in churches today, we only sing the first verse, but meditations on the second and third is encouraged while the deacon is singing it.

http://www.copticheritage.org/PagEd+index-page_id-755.phtml

God bless.

[minasoliman]

and notes:

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~awadd/hymnsmtg/notes/08lent/Meghalo.jpg

[Salpy]

The quality of the recording is not that great, but it's part of an Armenian requiem.  You also kind of get to see what the bema in an Armenian Church looks like during Lent, with the curtain closed over the altar, and an icon of the Crucifixion set up in front of the curtain.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHJ1_AUZBUQ

For more information on the Armenian custom of covering the altar during Lent, see reply 1 of the following thread:

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,11249.msg152436.html#msg152436

[Salpy]

Holy Week hymns from the Coptic Church:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnq6fPbbyWE

[EkhristosAnesti]

The 'long' Kyrie Eleison said during Palm Sunday (as well as on Good Friday): click here.

[EkhristosAnesti]

The Twelfth Hour Gospel reading of Good Friday chanted in english:
http://stpeterandstpaul.org/index.php?page=download&op=getFile&title=16+Gospel

Notice that the first half of the Gospel reading is chanted in the mournful tune. When the reader reaches the part of the Gospel where the Jews quote Christ saying "I will rise again" the reader switches suddenly to the joyful tune.

[Salpy]

A Syriac hymn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wN65laS6uA&feature=channel_page

If anyone knows anything about this hymn, information would be appreciated.  It is really beautiful.

[EkhristosAnesti]

An english recording of the 12th Hour Good Friday reading from the Lamentations of Jeremiah: click here.

[Orthodox11]

An english recording of the 12th Hour Good Friday reading from the Lamentations of Jeremiah: click here.

Wonderful! Thank you

[Salpy]

I was there last night at St. Ephraim Cathedral.  This hymn which was recorded in this video was quite beautiful.  They had a power point display on the wall showing the words in Syriac and translated into English.  It is a prayer about the Holy Cross and it was wonderful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0VvOTsXRyk

[EkhristosAnesti]

Khristos Anesti

Last year I prepared a small video presentation on an Armenian Orthodox Resurrection hymn on my website. I also made available for download the complete audio file as well as an english translation of the text:

http://erkohet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48:nortsaghik&catid=27:smnuhymnody&Itemid=22

[EkhristosAnesti]

Khristos Anesti

The video presentation introducing the below article begins with an english rendition of a segment of an Armenian Orthodox Resurrection hymn and concludes with a segment of a Coptic Resurrection hymn. Both segments pertain to the subject of the article viz., the joy of the Angels on account of the Resurrection. Throughout the article there are snippets of other OO Resurrection hymns that can be streamed. Download links for many of the sound clips are provided at the end of the article:

http://erkohet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53:christisrisenarticle&catid=39:smnudoctrineother&Itemid=14

[Salpy]

Some joyful singing by children on Palm Sunday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymf_FdKaQtU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eliuKNnefOM&feature=channel_page


This reminds me of the children of the first Palm Sunday:


15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.

 16"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.
      "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read,
   " 'From the lips of children and infants
      you have ordained praise'[a]?"

(Matthew 21)

[Salpy]

This is the hymn that is sung during the kiss of peace in the Armenian Church:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvqGByujCls

Krisdos ee mech mer haydnetzav, Vor enn Asdvadz asd pazmehtzav. Khaghaghootyan tsayn hunchetzav, Soorp voghchooyni hraman duvav, Yegeghetzis mi antzn yeghev, Hampooyrus hot lurman duvav, Tushnamootyunun heratsav, Sern huntanoorus supretsav. Art bashdonyaik partzyal uztsayn, Dook zorhnootyun ee mi peran. Miasnagan Asdvadzootyan, Voroom srovpekn yen surpapan.

Translation:

Christ is in our midst hath been revealed. He who is God is here seated. The voice of peace hath resounded. Holy greeting hath been enjoined. Here the Church is become one soul. This kiss is given for a bond of fullness. The enmity hath been removed. And love is spread over us all. Now ministers, raising your voice, give ye blessings with one accord to the consubstantial Godhead, to whom Seraphim give praises.

http://www.cilicia.com/armo_badarak27.html

[Salpy]

Hymn sung before Communion in the Armenian Church:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBQb_1-313w&feature=channel_page


 ORHNYAL EH ASDVADZ, Krisdos badarakyal, pashkhi ee michi meroom, Aleluia. zMarmin yoor da mez geragoor, yev soorp zaryoon yoor tzogheh ee mez, Alelluya. Madik ar Der yev arek uzlooys, Alelluyah. Jashagetzek yev desek zi kaghtzr eh Der, Alelluya, (Orhnetzek uzDer hergins, Alelluya, Orhnetzek uzna ee partsoons, Alelluya) Orhnehtzek uzna, amenayn hreshdagk nora, Alleluya, Orhnetzek uzna amenayn zorootyunk norah, Alelluya.

Translation:

Blessed is the Lord, Christ is sacrificed and shared among us, Alleluia. His body He gives us for food and he bedews us with His Holy Blood, Alleluia. Draw near to the Lord and take ye the light, Alleluia. O taste ye and see how sweet is the Lord, Alleluia. (Praise the Lord in the heavens, Alleluia. Praise Him in the heights, Alleluia). Praise ye Him, all His angels, Alleluia. Praise ye Him, all ye His hosts, Alleluia.

http://www.cilicia.com/armo_badarak37.html

[Salpy]

A Coptic Resurrection hymn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xlSYIxS7gI

[Salpy]

A lovely mezmur:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GPI1PmAJTo

[EkhristosAnesti]

With the recent launch of 'St George the Prince of Martyrs' on The Online Treasury of the Divine Riches of the OO Church, 3 new audio files with accompanying lyrics have been made available for download (click here to be directed to the relevant page):

1. 'Treading the Road of Affliction' by Vivian El-Sudany; a Coptic Orthodox 'mediha' to the Great Martyr.
(Multimedia presentation based on this audio track can be viewed on the website, or here on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zHonBOqGRU)

2. Annual Coptic Doxology to St George by cantor Mark Tadros chanted in both English and Coptic.

3. Coptic ode to St George by cantor Mark Tadros chanted in English.

[Thomas Daniel (Reji)]

Visit following Internet Radio and TV of Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Church.
Most of the programs are in native language of Malayalam


shubho - Radio Malankara - http://radiomalankara.com/

teshbuhto - Malankara Vision - http://malankaravision.com/

[Salpy]

Coptic hymn to the Mother of God:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIA4ifqxxZU

[minasoliman]

Coptic hymn to the Mother of God:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIA4ifqxxZU

One of my favorites, although I wish most of our churches sing this in a higher tone than presented, but understandably, some voices can't handle high tones.

I want to record one from a church in Jersey City where I grew up as part of the choir of Epsaltos, who kept a high tone on most of their hymns.

[EkhristosAnesti]

One of my favourite Coptic melodies: the Trisagion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byTKF2CzNLA

[Alveus Lacuna]

The Coptic chanting seems so sssssllllllllloooooooowwwwww!

[Salpy]

The Coptic chanting seems so sssssllllllllloooooooowwwwww!

That's their style.  It's quite ancient.   

This may be an example of a "vowelated" hymn that Mina mentioned in reply 241, above.  Either he or EA can confirm whether that is the case.

[EkhristosAnesti]

It's only the introductory vowel to the festal Trisagion that is elongated as such (i.e. the first 'a' sound of the first word, 'Agios').

Such vocalisation of the vowels is an element of Coptic hymnody inherited from the ancient Pharaonic religious tradition. The seven vowels were considered sacred, representing perfect sublimity.

I here post a link to the Institution of the Eucharist segment of the Coptic Basillian Liturgy because it's performed by one of my favourite bishops, H.G. Bishop Youssef:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3us3wPPpts

[minasoliman]

It's only the introductory vowel to the festal Trisagion that is elongated as such (i.e. the first 'a' sound of the first word, 'Agios').

Such vocalisation of the vowels is an element of Coptic hymnody inherited from the ancient Pharaonic religious tradition. The seven vowels were considered sacred, representing perfect sublimity.

I here post a link to the Institution of the Eucharist segment of the Coptic Basillian Liturgy because it's performed by one of my favourite bishops, H.G. Bishop Youssef:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3us3wPPpts

Is it just me or is the audio a bit off from the video?

[_Seraphim_]

The Coptic chanting seems so sssssllllllllloooooooowwwwww!

That's their style.  It's quite ancient.   

This may be an example of a "vowelated" hymn that Mina mentioned in reply 241, above.  Either he or EA can confirm whether that is the case.

It's only the introductory vowel to the festal Trisagion that is elongated as such (i.e. the first 'a' sound of the first word, 'Agios').

Such vocalisation of the vowels is an element of Coptic hymnody inherited from the ancient Pharaonic religious tradition. The seven vowels were considered sacred, representing perfect sublimity.

Sssooooooocccooooooolll!   

[stashko]

One of my favourite Coptic melodies: the Trisagion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byTKF2CzNLA

Beautiful ...i just don't care for those western ugh  images ,i dislike them with a passion.....i prefer the traditional icons EO and OO ...And especially, i don't care for the divine mercy image.....That Revelation to a polish nun to honor and to celebrate the first Sunday after pascha resurrection Sunday as  a greater mercy to mankind than The resurrection itself like The Lords Passion crucifiction death and resurrection wasn't good enough...That alone makes me question the authenticity  of that apparition that claims to be Jesus....

[EkhristosAnesti]

I wouldn't read anything into the visual displays.