The Saint Sophia 50th Anniversary Chorale: Byzantine Gems
The Saint Sophia 50th Anniversary Chorale: Byzantine Gems MUSIC AUDIO CD SEALED
Music
Audio CD
The Saint Sophia 50th Anniversary Chorale
2002
CD
$74.99
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The Saint Sophia 50th Anniversary Chorale: Byzantine Gems
Album Features
Title:
The Saint Sophia 50th Anniversary Chorale: Byzantine Gems
Record Label:
The Saint Sophia 50th Anniversary Chorale
Release Year:
2002
Cat No:
Country:
US
Genre:
Religious / Choral
Style:
Byzantine Chant; Chrysanthene Chant; Sacred Choral
The Saint Sophia 50th Anniversary Chorale was formed as a community response to a milestone in the life of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, gathering singers, scholars, and clergy to honor fifty years of worship and cultural life. Rooted in the centuries-old traditions of Byzantine praxis and the later chrysanthene notation reforms, the ensemble cultivates vocal purity, modal chant technique, and the sustained ison that underpin Orthodox liturgical singing. Their approach emphasizes faithful liturgical delivery and spiritual intent, making every performance both a musical offering and a communal act of remembrance.
Byzantine Gems collects a thoughtfully curated selection of historic chants and liturgical pieces, transcribed and arranged for the chorale with sensitivity to their original modal structures. The program ranges from 12th-century Byzantine chant to 19th-century chrysanthene transcriptions prepared by Dr. Frank Desby, and it includes scriptural readings from Genesis and Revelation, plus a special presentation honoring Dr. Desby’s scholarly legacy. Featured readers Peter Kouvelis and Dr. James P. Brown contribute spoken interludes that frame the music, while several hymns on the recording are newly arranged or composed by Dr. Desby himself, bridging scholarly reconstruction with contemporary choral realization.
As both a concert document and an accessible introduction to Greek Orthodox sacred music, this release has significance for worship communities, music students, and lovers of chant alike. It serves to preserve and transmit repertoire that might otherwise be confined to archival manuscripts, demonstrating how modal chant and choral arrangement can coexist without sacrificing liturgical authenticity. Celebrating the cathedral’s golden anniversary, the album stands as a testament to the enduring cultural and spiritual role of Byzantine chant within diaspora communities and the continuing work of scholars and practitioners to keep this tradition alive.
Engineering and mastering credited to D'n A On-Site Recording and Trumpet Vine Sound, LLC.
Special presentation honoring Dr. Frank Desby. Special thanks to the Greek Sacred and Secular Music Society.
Tracklist
1.
Reading from Genesis 1:1-3 / The Great Doxology (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby) - Peter Kouvelis, Reader
2.
Special Presentation Honoring Dr. Frank Desby - George Bonorris
12TH CENTURY BYZANTINE CHANT - TRANSCRIBED BY DR. FRANK DESBY
3.
A New Sun Passed Over the Land of Darkness
4.
Know Ye That I Am God
5.
Shine, Shine O New Jerusalem
19TH CENTURY CHRYSANTHENE CHANT - TRANSCRIBED BY DR. FRANK DESBY
6.
Christ Is Born, Glorify Him
7.
The Rich Are Hungry
8.
I Will Love You O Lord
9.
I Shall Receive the Cup of Salvation
10.
Your Cross We Revere (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby)
11.
All Who Have Been Baptized (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby)
12.
Holy God, Holy Mighty (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby)
13.
Reading from the Divine Revelation of St John 4:1-8 - Dr. James P. Brown, Reader
14.
Cherubic Hymn (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby)
15.
Praise the Lord from the Heavens (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby)
16.
Lord I Have Loved the Beauty of Thy House (Composed by Dr. Frank Desby)
17.
Blessed Are You O Christ Our God (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby)
For CD Player
Album Features
Title:
The Saint Sophia 50th Anniversary Chorale: Byzantine Gems
Record Label:
The Saint Sophia 50th Anniversary Chorale
Release Year:
2002
Cat No:
Country:
US
Genre:
Religious / Choral
Style:
Byzantine Chant; Chrysanthene Chant; Sacred Choral
The Saint Sophia 50th Anniversary Chorale was formed as a community response to a milestone in the life of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, gathering singers, scholars, and clergy to honor fifty years of worship and cultural life. Rooted in the centuries-old traditions of Byzantine praxis and the later chrysanthene notation reforms, the ensemble cultivates vocal purity, modal chant technique, and the sustained ison that underpin Orthodox liturgical singing. Their approach emphasizes faithful liturgical delivery and spiritual intent, making every performance both a musical offering and a communal act of remembrance.
Byzantine Gems collects a thoughtfully curated selection of historic chants and liturgical pieces, transcribed and arranged for the chorale with sensitivity to their original modal structures. The program ranges from 12th-century Byzantine chant to 19th-century chrysanthene transcriptions prepared by Dr. Frank Desby, and it includes scriptural readings from Genesis and Revelation, plus a special presentation honoring Dr. Desby’s scholarly legacy. Featured readers Peter Kouvelis and Dr. James P. Brown contribute spoken interludes that frame the music, while several hymns on the recording are newly arranged or composed by Dr. Desby himself, bridging scholarly reconstruction with contemporary choral realization.
As both a concert document and an accessible introduction to Greek Orthodox sacred music, this release has significance for worship communities, music students, and lovers of chant alike. It serves to preserve and transmit repertoire that might otherwise be confined to archival manuscripts, demonstrating how modal chant and choral arrangement can coexist without sacrificing liturgical authenticity. Celebrating the cathedral’s golden anniversary, the album stands as a testament to the enduring cultural and spiritual role of Byzantine chant within diaspora communities and the continuing work of scholars and practitioners to keep this tradition alive.
Engineering and mastering credited to D'n A On-Site Recording and Trumpet Vine Sound, LLC.
Special presentation honoring Dr. Frank Desby. Special thanks to the Greek Sacred and Secular Music Society.
Tracklist
1.
Reading from Genesis 1:1-3 / The Great Doxology (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby) - Peter Kouvelis, Reader
2.
Special Presentation Honoring Dr. Frank Desby - George Bonorris
12TH CENTURY BYZANTINE CHANT - TRANSCRIBED BY DR. FRANK DESBY
3.
A New Sun Passed Over the Land of Darkness
4.
Know Ye That I Am God
5.
Shine, Shine O New Jerusalem
19TH CENTURY CHRYSANTHENE CHANT - TRANSCRIBED BY DR. FRANK DESBY
6.
Christ Is Born, Glorify Him
7.
The Rich Are Hungry
8.
I Will Love You O Lord
9.
I Shall Receive the Cup of Salvation
10.
Your Cross We Revere (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby)
11.
All Who Have Been Baptized (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby)
12.
Holy God, Holy Mighty (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby)
13.
Reading from the Divine Revelation of St John 4:1-8 - Dr. James P. Brown, Reader
14.
Cherubic Hymn (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby)
15.
Praise the Lord from the Heavens (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby)
16.
Lord I Have Loved the Beauty of Thy House (Composed by Dr. Frank Desby)
17.
Blessed Are You O Christ Our God (Arr. Dr. Frank Desby)
For CD Player
WHAT YOU GET:
This item is for the original media, and includes only the media (ie. CD, floppy ...) UNLESS specifically stated above and/or in the title. If more than just the media is included, it will state which items are (ie. box, manual, etc ). Items that come in a sleeve refer to a generic CD sleeve (typically white) and will be sent with shipping protection to avoid damage during transit. If available, we will also send the front and/or back CD inserts if in stock. If these are important to you, please message us to verify we have them available to send. Please do not assume items are included other than what's stated. Again, ask questions PRIOR to purchasing if you have any concerns.
IMAGES:
All images/pictures are stock photos and are for reference only, mainly to show the type of game you will be getting. Please read "WHAT YOU GET" for what is included with the media. Screenshots may vary based on your own computer system, video card, monitor, etc.
COMPATIBILITY:
Computers are like people, each one is different. Unlike console games, a computer game may install and work flawlessly on one system but may need adjustments on another. This is due to a variety of factors, mainly the OS platform running, video card you have, drivers, protection software installed, etc. Many times manufacturers release updates to games to fix bugs and add enhancements. We would be happy to help get the game going on your computer, but ultimately compatibility issues are the responsibility of the buyer. We suggest going to Google and searching for the name of the game along with the words "system requirements" to determine if your system is suitable. Ultimately, we are not responsible for software compatibility problems or publisher's errors.
PLATFORM:
Stated within the auction is what platform the game will work on (ie. Windows, Mac, Linux...) This is a generic statement and specific platform versions (ie. XP, Vista...) will have to be researched by the buyer. Games that came out PRIOR to XP or higher will not specifically state they will work on that release, but only because they came out before those versions were made. Many, if not most, will work on XP or higher with a few quick adjustments. We provide instructions with all items purchased on how to do this adjustment using the Program Compatibility Wizard. If we find out that an item will definately not work on a specific version, we will state it. For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program if the Program Compatibility Wizard does not work.
64-Bit Windows OS Systems:
For 64-bit Operating Systems, older games most likely will NOT work due to 64-bit systems not being able to run 16-bit programming code (most games prior to 2000). For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program.
Macintosh Systems:
For Macintosh programs, most older games will need to be run in Classic Environment if you have a MAC OS X 10.0 - 10.4 version. Please research Google on how to do this, or send us a message for information prior to purchasing. If your MAC OS system doesn't support Classic Environment (ie. MAC OS X 10.5 or Higher OR Intel Macs), you will have to try running it using the free program called SheepShaver, but compatibility is not ensured. Please research prior to purchasing or ask questions.
MEDIA FORMAT:
Please verify you have the required hardware in order to use the specified media (ie. CD, DVD, floppy drives, etc.) If the item comes as a floppy disc, make sure you have either the needed 3.5" floppy drive or the bigger and older 5.25" floppy drive.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SMOOTH PURCHASE:
Ask questions PRIOR to purchasing an order to avoid any confusion.
Be patient if there are problems during installation or gameplay. Typically someone else has
already ran into that problem and has listed a solution online. Contact us and we will do our best to help.
Be sure to update your video card drivers and search for updates to the game from the manufacturer.
This item is for the original media, and includes only the media (ie. CD, floppy ...) UNLESS specifically stated above and/or in the title. If more than just the media is included, it will state which items are (ie. box, manual, etc ). Items that come in a sleeve refer to a generic CD sleeve (typically white) and will be sent with shipping protection to avoid damage during transit. If available, we will also send the front and/or back CD inserts if in stock. If these are important to you, please message us to verify we have them available to send. Please do not assume items are included other than what's stated. Again, ask questions PRIOR to purchasing if you have any concerns.
IMAGES:
All images/pictures are stock photos and are for reference only, mainly to show the type of game you will be getting. Please read "WHAT YOU GET" for what is included with the media. Screenshots may vary based on your own computer system, video card, monitor, etc.
COMPATIBILITY:
Computers are like people, each one is different. Unlike console games, a computer game may install and work flawlessly on one system but may need adjustments on another. This is due to a variety of factors, mainly the OS platform running, video card you have, drivers, protection software installed, etc. Many times manufacturers release updates to games to fix bugs and add enhancements. We would be happy to help get the game going on your computer, but ultimately compatibility issues are the responsibility of the buyer. We suggest going to Google and searching for the name of the game along with the words "system requirements" to determine if your system is suitable. Ultimately, we are not responsible for software compatibility problems or publisher's errors.
PLATFORM:
Stated within the auction is what platform the game will work on (ie. Windows, Mac, Linux...) This is a generic statement and specific platform versions (ie. XP, Vista...) will have to be researched by the buyer. Games that came out PRIOR to XP or higher will not specifically state they will work on that release, but only because they came out before those versions were made. Many, if not most, will work on XP or higher with a few quick adjustments. We provide instructions with all items purchased on how to do this adjustment using the Program Compatibility Wizard. If we find out that an item will definately not work on a specific version, we will state it. For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program if the Program Compatibility Wizard does not work.
64-Bit Windows OS Systems:
For 64-bit Operating Systems, older games most likely will NOT work due to 64-bit systems not being able to run 16-bit programming code (most games prior to 2000). For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program.
Macintosh Systems:
For Macintosh programs, most older games will need to be run in Classic Environment if you have a MAC OS X 10.0 - 10.4 version. Please research Google on how to do this, or send us a message for information prior to purchasing. If your MAC OS system doesn't support Classic Environment (ie. MAC OS X 10.5 or Higher OR Intel Macs), you will have to try running it using the free program called SheepShaver, but compatibility is not ensured. Please research prior to purchasing or ask questions.
MEDIA FORMAT:
Please verify you have the required hardware in order to use the specified media (ie. CD, DVD, floppy drives, etc.) If the item comes as a floppy disc, make sure you have either the needed 3.5" floppy drive or the bigger and older 5.25" floppy drive.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SMOOTH PURCHASE:
SHIPPING:
We typically ship all items out within 1-2 business days after payment is received. In regards to the stated shipping and handling, remember that these costs include more than just postage.
International buyers please email/chat with us to determine if you are eligible for shipping of a specific product. If you are, then international buyers not shipping to an address within the U.S. can expect their orders to take anywhere from 5 days to 4 weeks to be received, depending on how fast/well USPS is moving. Additionally, international orders typically have to go through governmental customs, which can delay the arrival process. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying. Customs fees are normally charged by the shipping company or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are not additional shipping charges.
We typically ship all items out within 1-2 business days after payment is received. In regards to the stated shipping and handling, remember that these costs include more than just postage.
International buyers please email/chat with us to determine if you are eligible for shipping of a specific product. If you are, then international buyers not shipping to an address within the U.S. can expect their orders to take anywhere from 5 days to 4 weeks to be received, depending on how fast/well USPS is moving. Additionally, international orders typically have to go through governmental customs, which can delay the arrival process. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying. Customs fees are normally charged by the shipping company or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are not additional shipping charges.
