More Reviews About Dr. Jermihov’s Recording of Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil

Weeks after the release of the new recording of Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil, Dr. Peter Jermihov, and the recording itself, reviews praising the Conductor’s work continue to be published. As well, the recording is being praised for its depth and beauty.

The American Organist is a monthly periodical dedicated to Organ and Choral music. A review was published in the September issue of this journal that discussed this CD.

Please take a moment to read this review.

Summer Conductors’ Master Class A Big Success In Moscow

Written by Alex Milas

There could not have been a better setting than the Representation Holy Trinity-St.Sergius Monastery (Lavra), aka Podvorie, in Moscow this past July. The location provided the best in spirituality, history and hospitality to the ten student conductors who gathered in the ornate meeting hall during the week beginning July 6th thru July 12th, 2017.

 

 

The class was led by Maestro Vladimir Gorbik, one of PaTRAM’s founders, the Conductor of the Podvorie Choir and member of the Conducting Faculty at the Moscow State Conservatory.

 

 

Maestro Gorbik also assembled a professional choir. These singers were needed so that Maestro Gorbik could show the students experienced singers who will take direction as presented by the Conductor and, thereby, better illustrate to a student how and what they did to make the singers respond the way they did to the student’s actions.

 

 

As with all PaTRAM Master Classes, the event began with a Molebin, served by Father Sergei, in the monastery’s chapel, next to the meeting/rehearsal hall.

Each student was assigned parts of the All-Night Vigil and the Divine Liturgy which they would conduct at the weekend services and at the services for the Feast Day of Sts. Peter and Paul. The Maestro would also fill in, directing the remaining parts of each service.

 

The Feast Day services would be Hierarchical as the class and the Podvorie were blessed to have Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan agreeing to officiate. Bishop Nicholas, a huge supporter of PaTRAM, flew to Moscow to give his blessing to the class, show his support for PaTRAM’s efforts and concelebrate the Feast Day services with Archimandrite Dionisy, and other clergy.

 

Each day the group gathered in the meeting/rehearsal hall. The process was, basically, the Maestro leading each part of the liturgy himself then taking a seat in the rear of the room, watching and listening as each student directed their assigned pieces. There are many nuances in facial expressions, hand movements, body motion and posture that affect the relationship between choir and conductor. The Hierarchical services would be the high point of their rehearsals.

During the services each student stepped on to the conductor’s podium and, seamlessly, took over the choir without ever missing a beat.

Maestro Gorbik told me after the Divine Liturgy that a parishioner shared with him that they heard NO difference between one part or another of the service despite finding out later that multiple conductors were stepping on and off the podium to direct their parts. A big accomplishment, he thought.

The end of the Divine Liturgy signaled not only the end of the service but also the end of the Master Class. Bishop Nicholas gave a short sermon acknowledging PaTRAM and their work, thanking the Podvorie and the monastery’s abbot, Archimandrite Dionysi, for their hospitality and kindness, and, last but not least Maestro Gorbik, the students and the Choir which “sang so beautifully”.

South Florida Sees Its Very First Master Class for Singers

Written by Alex Milas

Sunshine.

Palm Trees.

Choral singers??

Yes, indeed. Seventeen singers, all seeking to improve their liturgical choral skills, gathered together for a 3-1/2 day Master Class for Singers at the St. Matrona Cathedral in Dania Beach, FL. Under the guidance of Master Conductor Vladimir Gorbik, the students progressed from a random collective to an organized and synchronized group of vocalists in just a couple of days.

As with all PaTRAM Master Classes, the event began with a molebin in the Cathedral, served by Archimandrite Alexander Belya.

 

After traveling from Russia to teach this class, Maestro Gorbik had no idea what to expect. With the exception of the Lukianov family, he did not know any of the singers. He did not know their capacity nor their musical knowledge base.

He knew only that he had a group of singers, some from St. Matrona’s choir and some from other choirs.

 

This was a daunting task, even for a seasoned, experienced and knowledgeable professional, such as Maestro Gorbik. Still, Maestro Gorbik accepted the challenge and set about finding a way to take this collective of vocalists and shape them into a choir and impart on them his decades of expertise.

 

 

 

Due to the absence of the local Choirmaster there were some differences between how the local participants were used to singing and how Maestro Gorbik did it in Moscow. Typically, it would have been the norm for the visiting conductor to sing set pieces and the local Choirmaster to do the rest but, due to the absence, Maestro Gorbik was forced to do both full services.

With each difference there was reconciliation. With every cloudy direction the group found clarity. Together they grew. Together they connected. Together they became a single sound, rich and melodic. Sound in technicality. Beautiful in harmony. Prayerful in feeling.

Somehow one would never see that in the rehearsal hall/trapeznaya of the St. Matrona Cathedral where, as previously mentioned, things seemed disparate even though everyone knew what they were trying to achieve. It just didn’t seem to be totally what Maestro Gorbik wanted.

 

But the time finally came to sing in Church. Saturday, All-Night Vigil was the first assignment. The singers gathered in the Choir loft that evening. The singers seemed restless and Maestro Gorbik introspective. He impressed on his singers to do their best, heed his direction and, with God’s grace, all will be well.

A common misconception is that the All-Night Vigil is somehow easier to sing than the Divine Liturgy, the next morning’s assignment. “Not true”, said the Maestro. He went on to explain to the students why that is and that this would be their toughest challenge. Once completed, they’ll find the Divine Liturgy to be much less complicated.

Finally, the service began. His Grace, Bishop Theodosy of Seattle, was the Hierarch officiating the evening’s All-Night Vigil. Concelebrating with His Grace were Archimandrite Alexander Belya, the church’s abbot, and Father Sergius of Moldavia, deacons and altar boys. The Cathedral was somewhat sparcely populated at the start but eventually was well-attended by the local faithful.

When the time came, the choir began to sing the first notes of the service. Nice. Tentative, but nice. As the service continued, though, the choir grew stronger. Their voices more engaged. The sound began to echo through the church and a choir emerged that was nothing like what was heard in the rehearsal hall next door. It was beautiful.

After the Vigil, the choir seemed as much relieved as they were excited to have gotten through the service.

 

Still, Maestro Gorbik congratulated everyone and reminded them that there was still tomorrow’s Divine Liturgy, easier, but still a challenge. He also reminded everyone of the early choir call, prior to the Liturgy, where everyone needed to loosen up their voices and be ready for the Liturgy.

 

The next morning, again, a different choir came. Things seemed a bit scattered. The vocals didn’t seem to come together like the evening before. One could feel there was a feeling of trepidation among the singers. Maestro Gorbik did his best to calm things down and give the singers some focus and calm. No turning back now.

 

 

 

Back to the choir loft….the Bishop’s greeting began the service and again the choir began singing their first notes. Again, some tentativeness but quickly the sound began to form. More and more, as the service progressed, the singers felt more comfortable and the sound became stronger and more moving. And by the time the service ended, again, a choir totally different from that which populated the rehearsal hall earlier that morning, had arrived.

 

Bishop Theodosy made a point to say, in his sermon, that this class had brought the best of what they had to the celebration and deserved to be commended.

 

His Grace pointed out the importance of the work PaTRAM was doing and commended, by name, its founders (Alexei and Katherine Lukianov). Bishop Theodosy congratulated Maestro Gorbik for his efforts in shaping the choir and producing the wonderful sounds he heard during the past two services.

The remainder of the Choir joined Maestro Gorbik and the Lukianovs to sing the joyous hymn of “Many Years” (Mnogoye Leto) as the congregation joined with them and Bishop Theodosy gave his blessings.

 

 

The Master Class then posed, together with the clergy for a group photo. 

All the faithful were invited to the trapeznaya, afterwards, where the Sisterhood of the St. Matrona Cathedral served up outstanding cuisine and toasts were the rule of the day. However, one stood out from the others, “a toast to Ivan Belya!” Reader Ivan, St. Matrona’s council’s business manager, was instrumental in helping arrange this class, engaged the Sisterhood’s help with meals and oversaw the cooperation of the Church with PaTRAM’s management. A well-deserved, thanks.

The day ended with goodbyes, thank yous, hugs and blessings but what will never end is the knowledge this group received from Maestro Gorbik and the satisfaction of what they’ve achieved. Thank God, it all worked out and the Master Class was a success.

 

First Singing of Kurt Sanders’ Divine Liturgy at the Patronal Feast of St. Alexander Nevsky at the Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ

Written by: Alex Milas

Photos provided by the Eastern Archdiocese, unless otherwise stated


“Amazing!”

“Unbelievably moving.”

Those are just two opinions I heard during and after the first-ever singing of Kurt Sander’s original English language Divine Liturgy in the Russian style. Under the guiding hand of conductor Dr. Peter Jermihov, “The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom”, commissioned by PaTRAM, was sung by the PaTRAM choir at the St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ on Sept 12, the Cathedral’s Patronal Feast Day.

Concelebrating with Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York was the diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan and many visiting clergy. The Cathedral was filled with clergy, filled with believers and filled with the beautiful music of this newly written score.

 

 

 

The day began with the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron Icon of the Mother of God arriving at the cathedral. The Icon was received by Father Sergei Lukianov and was placed in the Cathedral for believers to venerate.

 

Photo by Zhenya Temidis

Soon after, the PaTRAM choir began singing the Sander Divine Liturgy. The voices echoed through the Cathedral and worshipers seemed moved by the beauty of the music, with the Cherubic Hymn a clear highlight of the service.

Maestro Peter Jermihov was able to draw the best out of the singers despite having only a single 90 minute rehearsal with the full choir, the morning of the event, and two smaller rehearsals the previous Saturday and Sunday at Our Lady of Kazan Church in Newark, NJ, with singers who never before sang this score as an ensemble. A herculean effort to say the least.

 

 

The celebration continued with a procession around the Cathedral on the beautiful sunny morning. Metropolitan Hilarion, Bishop Nicholas and the clergy led the procession while the PaTRAM choir sang with the worshipers walking behind them.

 

At the conclusion of the service His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion bestowed diocesan gramotas to the composer, Kurt Sander, the conductor, Dr. Peter Jermihov and to the founders of PaTRAM, Alexei and Katherine Lukianov. These were extremely proud moments for PaTRAM, as an organization and, of course, personally to these talented individuals. A truly amazing and historic day.

Please visit the Eastern Diocesan Website for more reporting on this historic event.

Chicago Advanced Conducting Master Class – Observers and Students Share Their Opinions

Editor’s Note: all the statements that follow are unsolicited and the author is credited at the end of the statement.

His Eminence Metropolitan Philip of Poltava and the Chicago Master Class conductors

I thought very highly of the choir, it was beautiful to listen to and, simply put, it was very well done. It further helped with prayer and the overall Service. For me, the Liturgy came to life, and I felt emotionally connected to the service, especially when the choir was singing. In fact, when the choir was singing, it truly reiterated what it was I had felt during the Service—a sort of excitement and tranquility that is truly unique to come across. Your singing allowed the Service run smoothly and flawlessly and I thank you for that.

The choir holds an imperative role in the Divine Service. The singing is not simply a form of art that is beautiful to listen to; it is something greater. By “greater” I mean it also relaxes and enhances a spiritual connection between the parishioners and the worship experience. It helps set the mood of the entire church and allows for a better connection between us and God.

With regard to PaTRAM Institute, I am keenly aware of this organization’s unique ability to unite Orthodoxy and the Russian people both musically and culturally in America. I find that this organization has tackled a difficult yet uttermost necessary task in bringing people together. I have nothing but praise for PaTRAM and think exceedingly high of this effort. I wish all of its members the best of everything they set out to accomplish and pray that they succeed in all their goals and missions.

Very Rev. Viktor Trotskyy, Dean

Dormition Cathedral

Ferndale, MI


Fr. Andre Papkov & Dr. Nicholas Reeves lead the opening Molebin

I came to this Master Class expecting to improve on a number of fronts: preparation, technique, and expression. I did all three, but in a different fashion than expected. As the term “masterclass” implies, I expected something of a polishing up. What I got was an overhaul, and quickly. In the process, the biggest discovery was that I actually needed it.

Dr. Jermihov shows Allan Haggar a few tricks

Dr.Jermihov met each student where they were, placing consistent yet tailored demands on each. As well, Dr. Reeves provided needed and useful insight to the roots and composition of our music, making preparation for music making easier, yet more thorough. Dr. Jermihov broke my technique down to the most basic elements and rapidly built it back up.

Allan Haggar making it happen

While this was a humbling experience, it also built confidence. I feel better prepared to lead and make music. I also made some great new friends. Thank you!!

 

Allan Haggar, Masterclass Conductor

Chicago, IL

 


Alice Hughes receives technical advice

 

 

Letter to Dr. Peter:

I went into the workshop week prepared to submit to the process and to courageously take in new ideas and techniques, as I have done many times before at other workshops. You know, get a conducting “tune-up” and a few new ideas. (I do the same every year or so with a voice teacher in NYC.) But you, my friend, helped me to do much more than than a “tune-up”. I feel there was a transformation. Time, and the weeks ahead, will show whether or not, or what will stick long term, but I believe it has dramatically shifted my approach.

You are a terrific pedagogue and have a wonderful way of meeting each student where they are. That is a gift. Each and every student made progress forward. From my “huge heart”, THANK YOU. The days in Chicago will be remembered with fondness, daily change, and forward progress.

Alice Hughes making it happen

I moved out of my comfort zone, you guided …. magic happened.

My love in Christ,

Alice Hughes, Master Class Conductor

Santa Cruz, CA


Dr. Jermihov leads Observer Conductors in conducting fundamentals

Due to the fact that the student conductors and observers also participated as singers during the rehearsals and services, an extraordinary sense of collegiality existed among us, having shared the same musical journey from Wednesday evening’s first rehearsal to the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning.

Katya Lukianov making it happen

In fact, we were actively encouraged to provide verbal and written feedback each day, which deepened our relationships with each other as student conductors, as well as with the ensemble. When I finally stepped onto the podium during the Vigil to conduct the compositions I had been assigned, I was met with an overwhelming sense of support from my colleagues, and affirmation of the progress I had made as a conductor during the intense sessions. As a church conductor who had never before lead any ensemble other than a volunteer choir, the experience of a dynamic collaboration with the professional musicians in front of me was one of the most exhilarating and intensely satisfying moments of my life.

Jelena Vranic making it happen

The strong sense of collaboration and collegiality, however, was balanced and put into context by the watchful presence and masterful leadership of Dr. Peter Jermihov. During every moment of the 3 hours of podium time each conducting student received, he provided thoughtful analysis of the student’s strengths and flaws, and created a learning environment where we felt safe to explore new options and paths not always open in the amateur setting. I personally experienced this in two ways.

First, I was encouraged to relax and experience the choir’s innate musical energy, providing only the pulse of the music and shaping the direction of the sound with small, easy gestures.

Constantine Stade making it happen

At the same time, however, I was encouraged to experience the generosity of sound that is provoked by using the entire reach of my arm, breaking out the the constricted style I had confined myself to.

All in all, my experience during the masterclass was that of intense preparation and a very rich and rewarding music-making experience.

A far cry from being focused on delivering a performance “good enough” for a church service, we had launched out into the deep—truly living out the experience of uniting our Orthodox worship with the highest musical aspiration.

Constantine Stade, Master Class Conductor

St. Louis, MO


Serge Liberovsky receives technical advice

The Master Class was a great experience for me and I learned a lot. Dr. Peter’s personal touch really helped not to mention the generous amount of podium time. An excellent experience all around.

Serge Liberovsky, Master Class Conductor

Los Angeles, CA

Chicago Master Class – A Personal Observation

Written by Sergey Furmanov

From June 21-25 2017, the PaTRAM Institute held a Master Class for choral conductors in Chicago, IL. The event was unique in that, in the course of their studies, students has the chance to polish their conducting skills with a professional choral ensemble under the guidance of Peter Jermihov, a world-renown figure in the conducting field. In the course of three hours of podium time, broken up into six half-hour segments with the choir and a professional accompanist, every gesture of the student-conductor and every sound of the choir was subject to criticism/input from Maestro Jermihov. The degree of immersion into the nuances of conducting technique was akin to the exposure Piotr Nikolaevich had, in his own time, while studying under the famous teacher and mentor of conductors—Ilya Aleksandrovich Musin.

The Master Class was preceded by intensive preparations by the students, who were asked to prepare several compositions for the upcoming All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy Services to be held at the Pokrov Cathedral. The repertoire of hymns was selected with flawless taste and in conjunction with the respective levels and abilities of the students. The inclusion of such classics as Gladsome Light by Kastalsky, Blessed Art Thou, O Lord by Tcahikovsky, as well as music by living composers—Psalm 103 by Fr. Sergey Glagolev, Mercy of Peace by Nun Iyuliania Denisova, Cherubic Hymn by Kurt Sander—undoubtedly contributed to the development of a broad overview of available repertoire and enriched everyone with bold musical material.

At the Pokrov Cathedral – His Eminence Metropolitan Philip of Poltava, His Grace Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America, His Grace Archbishop Alypy (ret), PaTRAM Master Class conductors and singers and the Pokrov Choir

Besides the practical lessons in conducting, students were expected to play on the piano music assigned to all the student conductors, in this way participating in the learning process of their colleagues and, at the same time, raising their own musicianship. In the same vein, the score studies in analysis and score preparation, led by Professor Nicholas Reeves, substantially enriched the students’ knowledge of music history, harmony, polyphony, and musical form.

The Master Class participants are deeply grateful to all who invested their enormous energies towards the organization of the class at the highest professional level. In the first place, this gratitude is extended to Maestro Peter Jermihov, whose energy and talent bring to life Beethoven words: “music is not simply a viable form of self-expression but a moral and ethical force.” The Master Class was made possible by the generosity of Alexis and Katherine Lukianov, and the ideal and smooth-functioning logistics of the class were executed behind the scenes by the ever-present efforts of the PaTRAM staff—Alex Milas and Tatiana Geringer. With God’s help, such Master Class will continue to bring to life the main objective of the PaTRAM Institute—the bringing together musical excellence with prayer.

Русская версия доступна здесь

Fall Online Classes Will Begin Soon – Don’t Miss Them

There have been many queries received about PaTRAM’s online courses. This reminder is for all interested parties. Our Fall Semester is gearing up right now so if you’re interested in joining one of our classes, click on this link and you will see all the available programs. And, you can sign up there, too.

Come and train with some of the very best faculty in this country and abroad, including Dr. Nick Reeves, Laryssa Duhovskoy, Dr. Peter Jermihov and Maestro Vladimir Gorbik. All are experts in their field and will provide students with in-depth training in the choral arts in both singing and conducting.

Don’t miss this opportunity. The registration deadline is September 30th.