The Russian Choir

Although in western circles often performed in concert, music from the Russian Orthodox liturgy was originally composed for worship. It often covers the whole span of the human voice from top soprano to deepest bass profundo. The choir has always been happiest singing in halls and churches with great resonance that help prolong the timbre and vibrancy of the music.

As the choir has developed, it has been taught to sing liturgical works with as pure vowel sounds as possible, and to take care not to deliver consonsonants clearly. This is to avoid the production of ugly sounds. The aim is for a steady flow of beautiful sound, with which to praise God.

The music in an Orthodox church is just one more strand, in combination with the beautiful icons on display, which celebrates God through beauty.