Customer Reviews

Chant byzantin

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Sister Marie Keyrouz possesses an amazing voice. A practicing nun born in Lebanon and a holder of multiple degrees (including religious studies and musicology), she has mastered many styles of sacred vocal music. This CD showcases her mastery of the Byzantine style. Her amazing voice soars, wails, and wafts over a river of dense vocal polyphony compliments of the Chorale de l'eglise Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre. Keyrouz and the Choir perform all songs a capella.

The songs follow the lineage of the Christian Holy Week, and the booklet gives the days of the week upon which specific songs get sung. Keyrouz performs all songs in Arabic, Greek, or both. Stories of Mary Magdalene, Judas Iscariot, The Last Supper, and Christ's Passion, death, and Resurrection pervade the lyrics (translated into French, English, and German in the booklet) and culminate in the final three tracks devoted to Easter Sunday. Overall the performance is a deeply moving one and will probably evoke religious feelings even in the non-religious. She sings with the passion and conviction of a fervent believer (and, being a nun, we can safely assume that she is in fact one).

Sister Marie Keyrouz has also become a small industry unto herself. She has a multimedia Flash website full of animated effects, videos of her performing in various venues, biographies, photos, and tour information. She even released a DVD. Her dedicated main fan base seems focused in Europe and the Middle East.

This CD will satisfy cravings to learn about Byzantine music or simply to hear some great polyphonic singing. All listeners should prepare for a deeply moving, meditative, and spiritual experience.

Some people might not appreciate my perspective here: I'm a strong agnostic, practically an atheist, a former Christian. Before going over to the dark side, I explored Orthodox Christianity for several years, and a friend gave me this CD. She said she didn't like it, and I will forever be baffled by that.

This is the most spiritual and beautiful music I have ever heard. A friend of mine (also an atheist) said that Bach and Stravinsky made him want to go to church; well, Marie Keyrouz makes me want to go to church.

This is not music that you listen to while folding your laundry. It is too powerful for that; you stop doing what you're doing and you're pulled into the world of the music, into the liturgy, with the icons and incense and prostrations and processions. You may not be familiar with that world, but regardless, you will feel it in the music.

I strongly recommend this to anyone considering it.

I am enthralled by Chant Byzantin. Examples of chanting by women in the Byzantine style are rare, and this is a jewel.

Sister Marie Keyrouz does a superb job of chanting the hymns of Passion and Resurrection on this album. It is truly "other-worldly" and will transport you to a mystical realm not found in western music. If you are looking for profound music that is not "of this world", then this, and anything Sister Marie performs, will be more than sufficient.

This is a truly unique listen. Here is a deeply spiritual musical work that is infused with an erotic quality as well - a religious ecstacy if you will. Soeur Keyrouz's passion and committment to these Byzantine Chants is spellbinding and commands something far deeper from the listener. Once the spell of the music and performance establishes itself, you find yourself unwilling to let go of it. It's truly stunning.

Sister Marie is awesome. Sounds like an angel singing in the orginal tones of the Christian Church. She sings the "Axion Estin" and "Agni Pathi" excellent! She really knows what she is doing with the Byzantine Orthodox hymns! This is a must for all people that love spiritual music! MUST BUY :o)