Celestial Choirs

Paradoxes of the Russian Baroque

The Russian Baroque emerges as a unique cultural phenomenon where tradition and modernity converge amidst profound tensions. Isolated from Europe yet influenced by Belarus, Poland, and Ukraine, this period is characterized by an emphasis on choral music, as the Orthodox Church prohibited musical instruments in their services. The introduction of partesny singing, alongside local monophonic and polyphonic styles, gave rise to an unprecedented synthesis. This program revives these traditions with hymns in Slavic and theatrical choreography, exploring how spirituality, politics, and art defined a singular chapter in musical history.