Wednesday, April 18, 2012

My All-Time Favorite Setting of the Cherubimic Hymn

Bortniansky, Cherubimi # 7


I think it is literally breath-takingly beautiful, sublime.

Forget the annoying and inaccurate English captions, though.  A better translation of the words is below.



Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim,
and who sing the hymn of "Holy, Holy, Holy"
to the life-creating Trinity,
now lay aside all earthly cares,
that we may receive the King of All,
Who comes invisibly upborne by the angelic hosts,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

1 comments:

Matushka Anna said...

Yes, it's just beautiful. I have heard this done by church choirs in ways that would bring tears to your eyes...good and bad! It should not be attempted by, um, less than stellar choirs. On the other hand, when done well, it's breathtaking.