Twelve Days (After) Christmas

Day 12 - Bogoróditse dyévo (Arvo Pärt, 1990)

Bogoróditse Djévo (God Bless You) was completed in 1990, commissioned by the King’s College Choir, Cambridge.  It premiered on Christmas Eve that same year as part of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The piece is based on a Slavonic Church text from the Orthodox Book of Prayers. The hymn to the Virgin Mary, used in the Orthodox tradition, differs from the Latin Ave Maria in some slight nuances in the text. Pärt’s short and concentrated musical prayer is dominated by vibrant joy, instead of the usual lyrical mood.

Bogoroditse Devo, raduysia

   Rejoice, virgin, God-bearer

Blagodatnaya Mariye

   Mary, full of grace

Hospod s'Toboyu

   the Lord be with you

Blagoslovenna Ti v'zhenah

   Blessed are you amongst women

i Blagosloven Plod chreva Tvoyego

   and blessed is the Fruit of your Womb

yako Spasa rodila yesi dush nashih

   for you have borne the Savior of our souls

Bogoróditse dyévo - Zespół Wokalny „Rondo”