phew...where does one begin?
"Εξέδυσάν με": From Great Thursday. It's the hymn where the lyrics show Christ speaking about the tortures and humiliation His persecutors inflicted upon him.
a version by G. Chatzichronoglou (ok quality)
Then again I absolutely love the hymns from the Holy Week. The alleluiarion for example...
by G. Chatzichronoglou (excellent quality)
or the tearfully wonderful apostichon of Great Tuesday:
by G.Chatzichronoglou (excellent quality)
The third one...at 3:33... those words...that melody... combined with the presence of the bridegroom Christ...
And here is the wonderful "Τις Θεός Μέγας" cited by our Prof. Chrysostomos
(exc. quality)
by G. Chatzichronoglou
"Τον νυμφώνα Σου βλέπω":
by G. Chatzichronoglou (exc. quality)
Or how about *all* the hymns of the Resurrection?
Like "Δεύτε λάβετε φως" (come receive light):
by N.Milionis (eh quality!)
"Κατευθυνθήτω η προσευχή μου": This is Michael's favourite! Also one of mine. I prefer the version used in the Pre-Sanctified liturgy but I couldn't find that one
by Th. Vasilikos ("eh, ok" quality!)
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OK, those are the ones I could actually found a sample of...
for my absolute favourites:
"Κύριε ερχόμενος προς το πάθος", from Great Monday, where Christ is talking to His disciples before the Pasion and *He* comforts *them*. My hair just stood up only by remembering it...
...and
"Aναστάσεως Ημέρα" (The day of the resurrection) as well as "Χριστός Ανέστη" (Christ is Risen).
These three usually bring me to my senses whenever things are going bad.
Then these gems of music and poetry:
"Μακάριος Ανήρ": The first psalm, set to music and performed by the monks of Simonopetra monastery of Mt. Athos.
"Κατευθυνθήτω η προσευχή μου", from the pre-sanctified liturgy. Already mentioned it, had to emphasize!
"Toν συνάναρχον Λόγον", (the co-eternal Word, roughly), in plagal first. It is also the melody used for the apolitikion of St. Catherine of Sinai, which we chant at every liturgy at my church (as it is under the Sinai church) and I absolutely love it.
"Ti ipermacho", already mentioned.
...gotta stop here or I'll be writing forever.
tons, tons... I *love* byzantine music. It is simply the most perfect music possible in this world. Byzantine style, Greek, with all the proper ison naturally. Biased? Who? Me? Nonsense!
