Visions of the Greek Soul
Cilia Petridou was an accomplished pianist until her career was ended by major surgery, since when she has concentrated on composition. Moving with her family to the UK, she was hugely affected by the Turkish invasion of north Cyprus which destroyed their home town of Famagusta; her music is often informed by that political and social tragedy and also by the landscapes of Cyprus, ancient literature and the Greek Orthodox liturgy.
This double album is in two parts: The Asmata is a collection of songs inspired by modern Greek poetry, divided between two sopranos. A small vocal ensemble then presents the Byzantine Doxology, a new setting of Orthodox liturgical texts. Most is sung in Greek and is suffused, even in the case of a setting of Emily Dickinson, with the musical traditions of that country. The composer has also been much inspired by the ancient writings of Anyte of Tegea.
More music by Cilia can be found on ‘Sounds of the Chionistra‘ and ‘The Mystery of Christmas‘
Track Listing
- Cilia Petridou (b.1944):
- Asmata - I. Teresa (0:42)
- Asmata - II. Lullaby (4:07)
- Asmata - III. Beauty (2:49)
- Asmata - IV. Enough (2:45)
- Asmata - V. The Nun (4:02)
- Asmata - VI. Epitaph (1:00)
- Asmata - VII. Away from You (6:53)
- Asmata - VIII. Red Lips (3:20)
- Asmata - IX. The soul selects her own society (2:25)
- Asmata - X. Wait (1:33)
- Asmata - XI. Your Eyes (5:50)
- Asmata - XII. My Greatest Regret (3:58)
- Asmata - XIII. Nightingale (3:02)
- Asmata - XIV. Scent of the Rose (3:06)
- Asmata - XV. Sunset (9:05)
- Byzantine Doxology - I. Bless us O Lord (4:51)
- Byzantine Doxology - II. Blessing of the thrice-holy hymn (12:16)
- Byzantine Doxology - III. O Lord I have cried (15:42)
- Byzantine Doxology - IV. Deliver me (6:21)
- Byzantine Doxology - V. Pure Light (5:31)
- Byzantine Doxology - VI.Hosanna in the Highest (3:29)
- Byzantine Doxology - VII. Peace to all (4:01)
- Byzantine Doxology - VIII. Rest the souls (2:12)
Reviews
“This is very difficult music per¬formed at a very high level. Byzantine Doxology is a magical and moving piece.
” —Stephanie Boyd
“This double CD of vocal music has an other-worldly feel, the second half of the programme being more traditional in sound. An interesting collection for fans of the human voice.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“Greek Orthodox liturgical texts form the basis of “Byzantine Doxology”, a very extended setting [which] uses a small vocal ensemble that Petridou employs to produce considerable purity of sound. The vocal writing is skillful, although there is greater variety in the 15 songs, split between two soprano voices and based on more-modern poetry.
” —Mark J. Estren
