Evening of Russian Orthodox Sacred Music

to exist in a semi-underground state. Artists—composers, conductors, and singers—who did not submit to the demands of the atheist regime were publicly denounced, threatened and had their privileges revoked. Some were killed.
This performance will feature pieces by composers—including Alexander Gretchaninov, Martyred Priest Mikhail Lisitsyn, Pavel Chesnokov, Sergei Rachmaninov, and Dimitry Bortniansky among others—who were repressed, forced into exile, or killed because of their art and faith.
The music of these composers is a testament to the eternal, transformative power of art and to the indomitable spirit of all people of faith and ideals.
During this evening of Russian Orthodox sacred music, we will commemorate all those who have suffered under Communist regimes, in Russia and throughout the world.
The concert is free of charge and will take place on the evening of November 8 at the Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington DC at 6:30 PM. The performance will conclude at 8:15 PM followed by a reception in the church hall downstairs.

THE SYNODAL CHOIR
The Synod Cathedral Choir of New York is dedicated to outstanding traditional performance of Russian Orthodox liturgical music. Organized in 1952 by the renowned conductor and composer, Boris Ledkovsky (1894-1975) with singers that performed under his leadership in Europe during the 1940s, it strives to promote a historical repertory that features the best examples of one of the richest choral traditions in the world. Upon Boris Ledkovsky’s death, for nearly thirty years the choir was under the leadership of Alexander Ledkovsky (1944-2004), the founder's son. Beyond continuing the choral performance traditions established by his father, A.B. Ledkovsky devoted himself in his last years to expanding his father's work of harmonizing festal liturgical texts according to the chant-based principles of the renowned "Moscow School" of church music. Subsequently, the choir was directed by Soprano Irina Mozyleva, who continues her association with the choir. The choir has been led by Peter Fekula since 2005. For more than a half-century, the choir’s activity has centered on regular services at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign, the headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in New York City. In addition, the choir has undertaken projects, including historic divine services on special occasions, numerous concerts and several recordings. Highlights of the choir’s activities over the years include a concert tour of the Holy Land and performances of sacred and secular works in venues such as New York City’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.

PETER FEKULA, CONDUCTOR
Peter Fekula has been a choral director for over 35 years. He obtained his musical training at the Mannes School in New York and at Harvard University where he studied choral performance and early music with Jameson Marvin and was Assistant Conductor of the Harvard Glee Club. He has been the Choral Director at the Synodal Cathedral of the Russian Church Abroad in New York City since 2005. He is a member of the Liturgical Music Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.