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Dec 29th, 2019
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Glory to Jesus Christ! After considerable delay, the recording "Annunciation of the Theotokos: Vespers and Matins" is FINALLY available for purchase. Recorded by the Schola Cantorum of St. Peter the Apostle, this gives the moveable parts of the services of Vespers and Matins for Mar. 25, sung in harmonized prostopinije, including the entire Canon of the feast. This is a dialogue between the Archangel Gabriel and the Theotokos. The services contain many melodies which would only be heard on this feast. The only place you can purchase it is the Byzantine Seminary Press. Byzantine Seminary Press 3643 Perrysville Avenue P.O. Box 7626 Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Phone 412-322-8307 Fax 412-322-9530 E-Mail: byzantinepress@aol.com If you order NOW you can get it in time for the feast! It is available ONLY in compact disc format, and sells for $16, plus shipping/handling. The Byzantine Seminary press has a new website: www.byzantines.net/byzantinepress/ [ byzantines.net]
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Dear Prof Thompson,
I like your recordings and own several of them, but have found them impractical for actually learning how to chant the music as they are harmonized and the women's voices overdominate in my opinion. Do you know of any music published on cassette or CD that has prostopinje that is executed in a way more likely to be heard in a parish? Would you consider releasing some prostopinje that is not harmonized? I know several others who love prostopinje and enjoy your work and expertise but do not like harmonization.
anastasios
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Glory to Jesus Christ!
The harmonization of prostopinije is not an innovation of mine. Rusyns brought the custom of harmonized plainchant with them when they came from the old country. It may not be to the taste of some people, but it is most certainly not an innovation.
Recordings are done for different reasons. None of the recordings that are published now are solely for the purpose of cantor education---and I find the comment "and the womens voices overdominate in my opinion" interesting, seeing that most of the Schola recordings ALTERNATE men and women singing (as, in fact, it was often done in churches in the old country before the 2nd World War).
The Schola recorded a complete Sunday Matins in the Fourth Tone as a teaching recording, done all in unison (though still alternating men's with women's voices). This will be published sometime in the near future (I hope) by Byzantine Seminary Press.
When the Council of Hierarchs gives approbation to the new Liturgikon and People's Book, teaching recordings will come out with the PB done in unison as well.
(Prof.) J. Michael Thompson
Byzantine Catholic Seminary
Pittsburgh, PA
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The harmonization of prostopinije is not an innovation of mine. Rusyns brought the custom of harmonized plainchant with them when they came from the old country. It may not be to the taste of some people, but it is most certainly not an innovation Hear, hear! Even von Gardner makes the point that singing in parallel thirds perhaps with an added bass line was typical practice. One of the most vivid memories I have from childhood is the chanting of the funeral service done in a simpled TBB setting by three of our local priests - stunnning and unforgettable. I have NEVER heard prostopinije chanted live without harmonization. Although that is probably because I am always adding harmony. 
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Originally posted by Professor J. Michael Thompson:
When the Council of Hierarchs gives approbation to the new Liturgikon and People's Book, teaching recordings will come out with the PB done in unison as well.
(Prof.) J. Michael Thompson
Byzantine Catholic Seminary
Pittsburgh, PA Professor Thompson, When are the new translations going to be made available to cantors to begin working on new musical settings? Basil
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Dear Prof. Thompson,
Note that I did not say that harmonization is an innovation. I simply said that I and some people I know do not like it.
anastasios
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I can't remember a liturgy when there wasn't some ad lib harmonization. Get a schola together, you get at least three parts going with no effort.
Ah, yes. I remember fondly singing with Professor Nicholas Kalvin's Men's Chorus and that 12-part harmony. A tradition he brought over from the old country. All chant-style, not choral.
Joe
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All chant-style, not choral. Joe, I am curious what you have in mind by that.
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Originally posted by djs: All chant-style, not choral. djs or whoever you are ... Like I just wrote: chant-style, not choral. You just quoted me with those exact words. Let me make it easier for you: Melody based on Prostopinije. The people can actually sing along with the schola since it is the same chant they sing if only one cantor led. So shoot me ... or the Professors who did it. You gonna blame me for something they did? Just stating a fact, Jack. No more; no less. I had absolutely nothing in mind. Just remembering what some professors did from the Old Country. Hope I didn't rock your boat too hard there. Joe
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Hey Joe: I just wasn't sure what you meant, and was, as I stated, curious about the styles implied. Melody based on Prostopinije. The people can actually sing along with the schola since it is the same chant they sing if only one cantor led. This I understand. Thanks.
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Glory to Jesus Christ!
This is the kind of harmonization that I use in alternation of the chant between Kliros I and II: three-part singing that is designed to leave the cantus firmus on top and readily "join-inable" for the faithful.
At "katavasia" points (such as the Dogmatika or Doxastikon hymns) we sing SATB harmony to indicate that there is liturgically something different going on---but the melody is STILL on the top and pitched at a level that permits the faithful to sing along.
Prof. J. Michael Thompson
Byzantine Catholic Seminary
Pittsburgh, PA
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Originally posted by Professor J. Michael Thompson:
When the Council of Hierarchs gives approbation to the new Liturgikon and People's Book, teaching recordings will come out with the PB done in unison as well.
(Prof.) J. Michael Thompson
Byzantine Catholic Seminary
Pittsburgh, PA Professor Thompson, I think you missed my question. When are the new translations going to be made available to cantors to begin working on new musical settings? Basil
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Alas, Basil M.--
I didn't miss your question. I was trying to find a politic way of answering it.
There isn't one, I fear.
When the Bishops give approbation to the new material, then there will be a large effort put into getting things into people's hands with the best catechesis possible. Until that time, the answer is, "I don't know."
I'm sorry to not be able to be more specific than that.
In Christ,
Prof. J. Michael Thompson
Byzantine Catholic Seminary
Pittsburgh, PA
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Professor Thompson,
Thank you for answering. Cantors are always the last to know anything. The Bishops should be including experienced cantors at every stage of making the new translations. It�s insulting that no cantors are involved. I hope that they at least give cantors time to prepare new music settings so that they can be sung.
Basil
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Glory to Jesus Christ!
Dear Basil M,
You seem to have deduced something from my answer to you that I neither said nor meant.
There has been cantorial input in the IELC since 2001. The Inter-Eparchial Music Commission is composed completely of people who are cantors or bishops or priests.
Please don't put words into my posts; life is rough enough. <G> As to time to prepare---that is what I made reference to in one of my posts above: "There will be a large effort put into getting things into people's hands with the best catechesis possible." Since I myself am a cantor, I am praying that cantors are still considered "people."
A blessed Fast to you.
(Prof.) J. Michael Thompson
Byzantine Catholic Seminary
Pittsburgh, PA
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