The Orthodox Spirit

“Music praises God. Music is well or better able to praise him than the building of the church in all its decoration; it is the church’s greatest ornament.”

 Igor Stravinsky

Chamber Choir Ireland's new concert series, The Orthodox Spirit is a hauntingly beautiful programme that traverses centuries, countries and composers, connected at its core by the spirit of the music of the Orthodox Church. Audiences in Belfast, Limerick, Dublin and Kilkenny will be treated to the glorious sounds of Rachmaninov’s All Night Vigil (composed in less than two weeks in 1915). They will also witness the UK and Irish premiere of Arvo Pärt's Kleine Litanei, which pays homage to the Irish Benedictine monk St Virgil. This glorious work will be paired with Stravinsky's Three Sacred Pieces and an assortment of other works spanning from contemporary Ukrainian composer Galina Grigorjeva and 20^th century German composer Schnittke, to work from the 18^th century composers Bortniansky, Sarti and Titov as well as two early 17th century chants showcasing primordial Russian hymnody. This glorious programme promises to deliver an evening of spiritual majesty and splendour, transporting audiences to another era.

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The Orthodox Spirit will visit St Thomas’ Church Belfast on 20^th June at 7.30pm in collaboration with Moving on Music, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin on 21^st June at 8pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick on the 22^nd of June in association with The Lime Tree Theatre, finishing at the Kilkenny Arts Festival for a very special late night performance at 10pm in St Canice’s RC Church on the 19^th August. Presented in association with Moving on Music, The Lime Tree Theatre and Kilkenny Arts Festival.   https://vimeo.com/219541740 https://vimeo.com/225223605