Slava Isusu Khrestu

Hello

I am Nycholaij in Canada. One of the RC Parishes here has a population of many ethnic backgrounds, Italian, Slovak, Polish, Ukrainian and some Rusyn and Anglo-Saxon.

The priest, a bi-ritual priest and pastor, has in the past incorporated into many of the liturgical celebrations elements of the various groups and their Liturgical traditions.

This Paskha season, he wanted the choir to learn "Blahoobrazyj Iosef" in English.

As a Ukrainian Greek Catholic, I have learned two versions. From my Ukrainian mother and my baba, I learned the "simple melody" version used on Great and Holy Friday. From my father I learned the longer more involved version, the one as seen in Father Michael Tidick musical arrangement from St. Michael's Binghamton NY Church.

This longer, yet beautiful version appears to be virtually impossible for the humble but dedicated choir simply because of the transliterated Slavonic proved to difficult and the almost impossible English ( since the English syllables do not fit in easily . It appears that the style and sound is too foreign to them and it has been most frustrating!

Father Roman Galadza, a friend in Brampton, unfortunately is not available for help for he and Presvytera are in Ukraine for the next two? months

My request and that of the organist is for the musical arrangement for the "simpler version" as used in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Catholic Church.

Is it possible for you to help them?

I have searched everywhere for the simpler Ukrainian melody arrangement but have had "no" success.

The choir is eager to add this to the Great and Holy Friday service when the veneration of the cross takes place. I shall do it in Slavonic and Ukrainian but the organist requires musical notation for this simple version so that the choir take part. I feel that I will appear to be a just a strange piece of entertainment if they are not part of it. ( There are some in the church who do not appreciate anything eastern and have been rather negative. Father had hoped to show the other “lung” with which the Church breathes.


I had approached one person with the understanding that there was help but have yet to hear back from that person. I realize that my request is unusual and perhaps this person is just too busy. I can appreciate that.

I can be reached through the private mail section of my profile.

Z Bohom

Unworthy

Nycholaij

The "Noble Joseph" setting on St. Elias Church website in Brampton is the Bulhar setting, which is used not only by the Bulgarians, but also by Ukrainians and Great Russians. It is a very haunting melody. I still prefer the Subcarpathian setting.

Ungcsertezs

Slava Isusu Khrestu

Hello Ungcsertezs

Thank you.

I agree with you on the Rusyn melody....it is truly hauntingly beautiful but impossible in Slavonic and completley impossible with English.

Yes, that is the setting on St. Elias' website but I was hoping for musical notation. The organist ( a good lady ) requires the notes. So far, I feel like the battle has been lost already and some these people are already smiling at Father's defeat.

Thanks you so much

Z Bohom
Unworthy
Nycholaij

Nycholaij,

Page 34 of the below PDF has The Noble Joseph with notes.

http://metropolitancantorinstitute.org/sheetmusic/general/HolyFridayAnnunciationLiturgy.pdf

Fr. Deacon Lance

CIX!

Nicholaij, have you looked at the English settings used by St. Demetrius in Toronto? I have them if you are interested. I also have Archpriest Roman's settings as well. His is the version that I use when singing.

Unlike U-C I have to admit while both are beautiful I prefer the Bulharski. I will be happy to send a scanned version of these if you are interested. I also have the single-note (melody) line from the "Tserkovnij Pisni" from Svichado, the Studite publishers in Ukraine if you are interested. PM me with some sending info.

Nicholaij,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
The following link from Patronage Church may help you.
http://www.patronagechurch.com/chant/Iosif.HTM
May you continue to have a most blessed Great Fast.
Deacon El

Slava Isusu Khrestu

Thank You All / Djakuju Vsim / Merci Tous

Father Deacon "Diak" is presently in the process of sending me the music from the Western Ukrainian/Galician Tradition which is so familiar to our people here.

Slava Bohu!

Z Bohom
Unworthy sinner ( of the first degree )


Nycholaij

CIX!

Nicholaj, if those settings I sent you are what you are looking for, let me know as I can probably dig up some more. I just now realized I had referred to the Blahoobraznij Josyp melody as Bulharski above, but it is actually Tone 2 Samopodobni.

I like the audio track that St. Elias Church (Brampton) has on their website for Great Friday vespers and entombment.

Ungcsertezs