Showcasing a selection of Byzantine hymns performed by the Melbourne based choir David the Psalmist, Byzantine Anthology will be presented at the Holy Monastery of Axion Estin on Sunday 22 November 2015.
All over the world, the Orthodox Church preserves and practices the Byzantine traditions and art that have endured for centuries following the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Byzantine art is entirely concerned with religious expression; in specific, the translation of Christian theology into artistic terms.
The overwhelming influence of Byzantine art as an enduring phenomenon is still prominent in the modern world, so much so that it has inspired the young minds and hearts of today’s Orthodox Christians as both students and future custodians.
It has not only withstood the test of time but has spread to all corners of the globe, from the bustling metropolis to the remote hinterlands. It is a truly living and breathing art that traverses ethnic and sociocultural boundaries within the current climate of many and often opposing beliefs.
One of the most important genres of Byzantine art is music that is still studied and practiced by many Orthodox Christians across the globe. It draws on the artistic and technical productions of the classical age and on Jewish music that evolved in the early Christians cities of Alexandria, Antioch and Ephesus. It is purely vocal and exclusively monadic.
The David the Psalmist choir was originally a social group of young chanters brought together by their shared love of Byzantine music. However, increasing participants and a developing commitment to its tradition, maintenance and promotion led the group to form a choir in 2003, with David the Psalmist as its patron.
Since its inauguration, David the Psalmist has performed many times, both at Orthodox events and at broader community events in Victoria, including the Eikon Exhibition at Art Gallery of Ballarat. The choir is made up of both students and experienced chanters and currently has upwards of 25 members.
Byzantine Anthology
Holy Monastery of Axion Estin, 7 Hartington Street, Northcote
Performance: Sunday 22 November 2014 – 4.30pm
Free entry
For more information, visit: www.davidthepsalmist.com for details.
Image: courtesy of David the Psalmist Choir