17 May 2021

The Academy hold an Evening of choral church and classical music

On May 16, the Moscow Theological Academy hosted a choral concert of church and classical music, which took place at the Elizabethan Hall.

Students’ choirs both of the Chorister’s and Theological and Pastoral faculties performed under the conduct of a teacher, Ksenia Alekseeva.

The program consisted of pieces of church and classical music by Russian composers and varied in styles and genres.

Church compositions such as Concerto for Choir "The Unsleeping Mother of God in Prayers" by S.V. Rachmaninov and other classical composers started the concert.

Then, a female choir performed P.G. Chesnokov’s music accompanied by Victoria Borisova.

A particularly soulful atmosphere was created by G.V. Sviridov’s works glorifying an image of Russia with a touch of love and admiration to the country.

Doubtless adornment of the concert was a solo of A. Tretyakov's chant "The Virgin Mary" performed by a 2nd year student Maria Ruslanova.

Chukhnina Ksenia, a 2nd year student of the Church Singing Art Faculty, was an announcer of the concert.

At the end of the evening, Hegumen Lazar (Gnativ), Dean of the Church Singing Art faculty, thanked the participants and Ksenia Alekseeva for creating such a festive atmosphere noting that at the same time this concert became a landmark in a history of the Moscow Theological Academy.

It takes us back to the time when in academic churches people could hear not only male or female choirs, but also mixed choirs. When the Joint Mixed Choir of the Moscow Theological Academy with its rich repertoire and high performing skills took an active part in many cultural events, both in the theological school and beyond it. It gives us hope to overcome all temporary difficulties. I am sure that you have pleased our teachers, students, guests and will carry on in this wat in the future».

Hegumen Lazar also emphasized on the importance of the event for the spiritual education of future priests.

Someone often accuses the Church of intruding into a cultural life. This concert presenting both sacred and secular music of Russian composers testifies that the Church has been and remains a true keeper of the best traditions of Russian musical culture, especially the choral one. Despite the pressure of mass culture and pop music, which is designed for an unpretentious average listener, classical and church music has still evoked a genuine interest in young people».

Addressing the choristers, he said::

Your enthusiasm, hard work, appealing to the best examples of Russian choral music and practicing for getting high performing skills are the most vivid evidence of this».

At the end of the evening, Hegumen Lazar congratulated teachers and students of the Church Singing Art faculty on the feast of the holy Myrrophores and after the festive meal took some photographs.