Book Review: Service (Propria) for Saint Alice, Empress of All Russia, born Heterodox as Alix, converted to Orthodoxy as Alexandra F. Romanova (Orginal; Ἀκολουθία εἰς Ἁγίαν Ἀλίκην, τὴν Πασῶν τῶν Ῥωσσιῶν Αὐτοκράτειραν, Ἑτερόδοξον μὲν Γεννηθεῖσαν Ἀλίκην, Ὀρθόδοξον δὲ Γενομένην Ἀλεξάνδραν Φ. Ῥομάνοβαν)

Year 2021, Volume: 9 Issue: 3, 3121 - 3132, 31.12.2021

Georgios Chatzıchronoglou

https://doi.org/10.12975/rastmd.20219311

Abstract

A critical and thorough review of the book of Dr Alicia Maravelia and of her musical CD (with the Cantor Mr Athanasios Daskalothanasis) is presented. The book is a rare example of Orthodox Hymnography and composition of Byzantine Music written by a woman, following the tradition and norms of the Orthodox Church. It is dedicated to the celebration of the Feast of Saint Alice (Alix/Alexandra F. Romanova), last Empress of Russia and Passion–Bearer Saint and Martyr. The CD contains select hymns chanted by Mr Athanasios Daskalothanasis and a musicological analysis booklet of more than 50 pages, with introductory text. A short description and musicological analysis of her talented works are given, with several comments on the Oktoechos and comparisons to the Ottoman and Arabic Music and Ways (Maqam).

Keywords

Byzantine Music, religious music, Byzantine Musicology, Oktoechos, Propria, Maqam, Services for Saints, Feasts of Saints, Christian Orthodox Church, Saint Alix/Alexandra Romanova, Russian Empire, Last Emperors of Russia, Passion–Bearer Saints.

Book Review: Service (Propria) for Saint Alice, Empress of All Russia, born Heterodox as Alix, converted to Orthodoxy as Alexandra F. Romanova (Orginal; Ἀκολουθία εἰς Ἁγίαν Ἀλίκην, τὴν Πασῶν τῶν Ῥωσσιῶν Αὐτοκράτειραν, Ἑτερόδοξον μὲν Γεννηθεῖσαν Ἀλίκην, Ὀρθόδοξον δὲ Γενομένην Ἀλεξάνδραν Φ. Ῥομάνοβαν)

Abstract

A critical and thorough review of the book of Dr Alicia Maravelia and of her
musical CD (with the Cantor Mr Athanasios Daskalothanasis) is presented.
The book is a rare example of Orthodox Hymnography and composition of
Byzantine Music written by a woman, following the tradition and norms
of the Orthodox Church. It is dedicated to the celebration of the Feast
of Saint Alice (Alix/Alexandra F. Romanova), last Empress of Russia and
Passion–Bearer Saint and Martyr. The CD contains select hymns chanted by
Mr Athanasios Daskalothanasis and a musicological analysis booklet of more
than 50 pages, with introductory text. A short description and musicological
analysis of her talented works are given, with several comments on the
Oktoechos and comparisons to the Ottoman and Arabic Music and Ways
(Maqam).

Keywords

Byzantine Music, religious music, Byzantine Musicology, Oktoechos, Propria, Maqam, Services for Saints, Feasts of Saints, Christian Orthodox Church, Saint Alix/Alexandra Romanova, Russian Empire, Last Emperors of Russia, Passion–Bearer Saints

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