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Slavyanka Presents: Russian Spirit, Russian Land (Palo Alto)

On the first weekend of May, Slavyanka Chorus will present "Russian Spirit, Russian Land:" sacred hymns and secular songs from Russia's timeless musical traditions. The concert will feature ancient monastic chants, rousing Cossack songs, and liturgical hymns from some of Russia's greatest composers (known and unknown) -- and much of it almost never heard outside Russia.

Some of the least known Russian choral music is sacred music from the 17th and 18th century. As Russia opened the doors to outside cultural influences under Peter the Great, composers began all sorts of new experiments in bringing new European musical innovations to the ancient traditions of medieval Russian church music. These experiments laid the musical foundations for the more familiar work of Tchaikovsky, Glinka and others in the late 19th century, and the early 20th century writing of Chesnokov and Rachmaninov.

And right alongside this tradition of sacred music in Russia, there has always been a powerful and energetic folk tradition. Some folk songs have spiritual or civic themes; others are songs of the Cossacks, fierce warriors who defended Russia's borders in return for their freedom; still others celebrate the struggles and the joys of village life.

You'll hear all of this and more at our upcoming concerts. Please join us!

Saturday, May 2nd, 3:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church
1140 Cowper Street
Palo Alto

You can buy tickets here or at the door.