PaTRAM Institute™ Joyfully Announces the Release of its NEW Album, “More Honourable than the Cherubim”!

The 2019 PaTRAM Institute Recording Project began with the intention to record the sacred works of Alexander Gretchaninoff, one of the great Russian composers of the twentieth century. However, as the project was in development, we received the wonderful news that His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral), First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, had granted his special permission and blessing to allow the 725-year-old Wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God of the Sign to travel with the PaTRAM Male Choir to our recording location in distant Saratov, Russia.

The timing of the recording also coincided with the Feast of the Dormition of the Holy Lady Theotokos. It was then we realized that many providential signs were pointing us to a different musical focus. Accordingly, and in honor of this event, the repertoire was changed to an array of masterpieces by various composers glorifying the Holy Virgin Mary.

Our journey to prepare an album presenting Russian Orthodox choral music in its highest possible form, uniting deep spirituality, love for the rich traditions of Orthodox Christian singing and an uncompromising standard of musical professionalism began two years ago. Our aspiration was to create a new masterpiece – with a deeply rich sound, precision in ensemble unity, and above all, a deep identification with and expression of the sacred texts. Receiving divine inspiration from the Wonderworking Kursk Root icon we were committed to bringing the very best of ourselves in singing the music of the Church to the Glory of God.

TODAY we are delighted to bring you our labor of LOVE and FAITH, the new PaTRAM Institute Male Choir CD, “More Honourable than the Cherubim”. Our Grammy Award nominated 56-member male choir from 5 countries with an unprecedented section of 9 octavists (!), under the direction of Maestro Vladimir Gorbik, worked with the multi-Grammy winning team at Soundmirror to make the album a reality. The beautiful and serene St. Nicholas Monastery in Saratov, Russia provided the ideal setting for the recording. PaTRAM Institute Co-Founders, Alexis and Katya Lukianov, served as the Executive Producers. Multi-Grammy winning, classical recording label, Chandos Records, is handling the release and distribution.

We invite you to own this musical treasure or listen on all the major music platforms:

The CD is available at all the major download and streaming services.

It is our sincere hope that you enjoy this new offering!

Please visit the making of “More Honourable than the Cherubim” to learn more about the making of the album, download the booklet and find information about participating in all things PaTRAM.