PaTRAM Institute Male Choir™
Vladimir Gorbik, Conductor
New Choral Masterpiece in Superb Audiophile Sound
PaTRAM Institute presents our newest musical offering, which honors the Most Holy Virgin Mary, who gave birth to God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The unique program of More Honourable than the Cherubim is selected from a vast array of hymns, which have inspired composers and comforted the hearts of the faithful in times of both celebration and tribulation. The Grammy award nominated PaTRAM Institute Male Choir, comprised of 56 vocalists, hailing from five countries, with an unprecedented nine octavists, coalesced in an inspired collaboration of orthodox faith and sacred music for worship. The choir achieved a sound so deeply beautiful and moving, that local residents huddled outside the recording venue and on balconies of adjacent buildings in hopes of hearing the heavenly and exquisite music coming from inside the church. The choir drew divine inspiration from the Kursk Root Mother of God of the Sign Icon, which was granted special permission to travel with the PaTRAM Institute Male Choir to Saratov, Russia. During our time in this remote city, more than 18,000 believers and those new to the faith venerated the holy and magnificent relic. PaTRAM Institute co-founders Alexis and Katherine Lukianov served as Executive Producers. The album was recorded and mastered by the multi-Grammy award winner and nominee, Soundmirror, and is distributed by the multi-Grammy winning recording label, Chandos Records. The rich and live acoustic of the St. Nicholas Monastery in Saratov, Russia served as the ideal venue for the recording.
Critical Reviews for More Honourable than the Cherubim
MusicWeb International, July 2021:
“A magnificent release, beautifully conducted, flawlessly sung and incredibly well recorded; indeed, it’s sure to be one of my Recordings of the Year.”
– Dan Morgan, MusicWeb International
MusicWeb International, August 2021:
“The music is sung magnificently by the PaTRAM singers. My goodness, this is an accomplished ensemble! The sound is wonderfully rich and has terrific depth and body to it. Discipline is equally spectacular and I admired enormously the great range of dynamics….This is a magnificent album and it will certainly feature strongly in my thoughts when we’re asked to nominate our Recordings of the Year for 2021.”
– John Quinn, MusicWeb International
Fanfare Magazine, September 2021:
“PaTRAM’s two previous CD releases, Teach Me Thy Statutes and Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, were both Grammy nominees but not winners for Best Choral Performance. If there is any justice in this world, the third time should be the charm. Russian Orthodox choral music—indeed, choral singing period—simply doesn’t get any better than this. Highest possible recommendation.”
– James A. Altena, Fanfare
Purchase Music
PaTRAM Institute’s new musical treasure is NOW available for purchase!
Extra notes
This release was recorded and mastered by the team at Soundmirror, whose outstanding orchestral, solo, opera, and chamber recordings have received more than 100 Grammy® nominations and awards. For over 40 years, Soundmirror has recorded for every major classical record label, including Grammy award winning, Chandos Records.
To own this deeply spiritual jewel, to be cherished for generations, please visit: https://chandos-records.lnk.to/Cherubim
Listen to a Sample
- It Is Truly Meet (2:53)
- O Theotokos, We Shall Never Cease Proclaiming (3:13)
- Let Us Hasten with Fervour (5:56)
- O Thou Joy of All the Sorrowful (3:06)
- Let Us Pray to the Most Holy Theotokos (3:55)
- O Fervent Intercessor (3:59)
- The Theotokos, Who Is Ever-vigilant in Prayer (8:51)
- Troparion to the “Donskoy” Icon of the Theotokos (3:00)
- Do Not Lament Me, O Mother (3:41)
- We Have No Other Help (5:38)
- At Thy Deathless Dormition (8:44)
- Oh, How Sweet Is Thy Voice (2:10)
- It Is Truly Meet ( 2:31)
- Exaposteilarion for the “Kursk Root” Icon of the Theotokos (2:30)
- Revealing to Thee the Pre-eternal Counsel (3:56)
- Beneath Thy Compassion (3:16)
- It Is Truly Meet (1.52)
- The Angel Cried Out (2:14)