Department for External Church Relations
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Moscow Synodal Choir on tour to Germany
On October 4, 2019, the Moscow Synodal Choir concluded its tour in Germany with a recital of church music at the Catholic church of St. Joseph in Dusseldorf. The choir sang classical church compositions by the 19th and 20th century Russian composers, among them G. Sviridov’s “Holy Love”, “N. Vedernikov’s “In Flesh Thou Didst Fall Asleep”, A. Schnittke’s “Lord, Have Mercy”, D. Bortnyiansky’s “We Praise You, O Lord”, and others.
After the concert, Archbishop Tikhon of Podolsk, administrator of the Diocese of Berlin and Germany, addressed the artistic director of the choir, A. Puzakov, expressing gratitude and wishes of God’s help and further successes to the creative team. His Eminence also thanked all those who took part in the organization of the Synodal Choir’s performances in Germany.
The tour of the choir was a part of the comprehensive program “Days of Russian Spiritual Culture in Germany”, which is held with a blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. The project was carried out in cooperation with the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations and the Russian Ministries of Culture and of Foreign Affairs.
The choir performed in Berlin, Hamburg, Krefeld and Dusseldorf. In Berlin, they sang the oratorio “Passions According to St. Matthews” composed by Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk for soloists, a choir and an organ. They also sang during divine services in churches of the Diocese of Berlin and Germany.
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The Synodal Choir is the oldest professional musical team in Russia, whose history goes back to the 16th century choir of Patriarchal chorister clerks.
The present Moscow Synodal Choir began its revival in 2009 with the appointment of Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk as rector of the church of Our Lady the Joy to All the Afflicted-in-Bolshaya-Ordynka in Moscow, where the tradition of Moscow church music school has been preserved since 1948. Today there are 80 choristers in it. Along with singing at festive divine services, the choir gives recitals both in Russia and aboard representing Russian culture in many international projects. Since 2009, the team has been led by Russia’s Honoured Artist A. Puzakov.
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