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In the face of the devastation wrought by the First World War, Alexander Kastalsky conceived a musical service of remembrance for the fallen. A pivotal figure in Russian musical life- he was a student of Tchaikovsky and acclaimed as the founder of a new, national church music- Kastalsky composed a choral-orchestral Requiem, for the concert stage. Simultaneously, he worked on the a cappella version heard on this recording to be sung in Russian Orthodox churches. Following the basic structure of the Orthodox Panihida, or memorial service, Memory Eternal, and the short sacred pieces that end the programme, reveal Kastalsky's masterful use of choral sonority and color, his weaving of complex polyphonic textures, and his graceful use of ancient chant melodies. Album Tracks 1. Vechnaya Pamiat Geroyam (Memory Eternal to the Fallen Heroes) 2. 1. I. Velikaya Yektenia (Great Litany) 00 08 19 3. 2. II. Alliluiya I Glubinoyu Mudrosti (Alleluia and with Profound Wisdom) 00 02 42 4. 3. III. Pokoy, Spase (Give Rest, O Our Saviour) 00 03 29 5. 4. IV. Pokoy, Ghospodi, Dushï Usopshïh Rab Tvoih (Give Rest, O Lord, to the Souls of Thy Servants, Who Have Fallen Asleep) 00 01 07 6. 5. V. Molitvu Proliyu (I Will Pour Out My Prayer) 00 01 44 7. 6. VI. So Sviatïmi Upokoy (With the Saints Give Rest) 00 02 03 8. 7. VII. Sam Yedin Yesi Bezsmertnïy (Thou Alone Art Immortal) 00 04 03 9. 8. VIII. TÏ Yesi Bog, Soshedïy Vo Ad (Thou Art God, Who Descended Into Hades) 00 02 11 10. 9. IX. Upokoy, Bozhe (Give Rest, O Lord) 00 02 44 11. 10. X. Troynaya Yekteniya (Triple Litany) 00 07 36 12. 11. XI. Vechnaya Pamiat (Memory Eternal) 00 02 13 13. 12. Miloserdiya Dveri (Doors of Thy Mercy) 00 04 38 14. 13. Ot Yunosti Moyeya (From My Youth) 00 04 48 15. 14. Blazheni, Yazhe Izbral (Blessed Are They) 00 05 48
