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American composer Richard Toensing creates a vibrant musical synthesis of East and West with new settings of ancient Orthodox Christmas texts. Indebted to Slavic traditions, his virtuosic Choral Concerto for unaccompanied double choir and multiple soloists uses the dramatic words of St. Romanos the Melodist (6th c.) to recount the mystery of Jesus' birth. Toensing's more intimate New Orthodox Carols for the Nativity of Christ alternate between exuberant celebration and joyful contemplation as they bridge the gap between Byzantine and American hymnody. American composer and music educator Richard Toensing (1940-2014) received numerous award for composition during his lifetime, most notably from Columbia University, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts, and BMI. Album Tracks 1. Kontakion Proã-Mion - the Virgin Gives Birth Today 2. Kontakion Stanza I - Bethlehem Has Opened Eden 3. Kontakion Stanza II - the Father of the Mother By Intent Became Her Son 4. Kontakion Stanza III - O High King, What Is There for You Among the Beggars? 5. Kontakion Stanza IV - As She Says Such Things in the Presence of the Ineffable 6. Kontakion Stanza VI - As Mary Heard All of These Astonishing Words 7. Kontakion Stanza VII - Since They Are Your People, O Child 8. Kontakion Stanza VIII - Jesus, Who Is Truly the Christ and Also Our God 9. Kontakion Stanza IX - Receive, Then, O Holy Lady 10. Kontakion Stanza X - the Magi Hastened at Once Into the Inner Room 11. Kontakion Stanza XI - 'I Will Tell You' Said Mary to the Magi 12. Kontakion Stanza XXII - Now When She Who Is Blameless Saw the Magi 13. Kontakion Stanza XXIV - (Epilogue) Save the World, O Our Savior 14. O Nations, Let Us Now Prepare 15. Isaiah, As He Watched By Night 16. In Olden Days 17. What Shall We Call You 18. Now Hear, O Bethleh
