RUSSIAN CHURCHES.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3788, 28 May 1885, Page 3

RUSSIAN CHURCHES.

No organa or instruments are allowed in the Russian Church, and after hearing the wonderful singing it seams a pity that instrumental music has ever been introduced into sacred services. All hearers have spoken with enthusiasm of the effect produced here by the unaided human voice. The music itself is of the simplest possible character —a succession of easy intervals most richly harmonised. Good voices are sought for everywhere, and highly paid. The clear, ringing upper notes of some of the boys’ voices are equalled by the inconceivable depth of the basses, which really sound like a deep rolling organ-pipe gifted with a human utterances. In singing the prayers and respones the voices often remain a long while on the same notes, but the modulation is marvellous. Beginning in a whisper so faint that it seems to come from outside the walls, the sound gradually swells in richness and power till it comes to a full close in a burst of music, which is re-echoed down from the dome, and floats through the church long after the singers’ voices have ceased. The effect is enhanced by the continuous tolling outside of the great bell, set in the same musical key as the singing, and forming a foundation, as it were, for the whole chant.