THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE

About This Recording

Cappella Romana's most in-demand program, of Byzantine Chant and Polyphony ca.1453 and motets by Guillaume Dufay. Directed by Alexander Lingas.

Cappella Romana explores the musical legacy of the ancient civilization of Byzantium -- caught between Latin West and Islamic East -- with majestic ceremonies for the cathedral of Hagia Sophia, triumphant assertions of superiority by Westerners, and fervent prayers for the healing of religious divisions. Fabled Byzantium ended with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks on 29 May 1453, inspiring the two poignant laments sung here that give Greek and Latin perspectives on the end of a 1,000 year old empire.

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Hierarchical Entrance Rite for a Byzantine Divine Liturgy: (Anon. c. 1450)
[ 1 ] I. Introit for Sundays	LISTEN
[ 2 ] II. Hymn of the Resurrection (Mode 1)	LISTEN
[ 3 ] III. Imperial Acclamations for Constantine XI Paleologos	LISTEN
[ 4 ] IV. Glory, Both now	LISTEN
[ 5 ] V. Kontakion of the Mother of God (Mode Plagal 4)	LISTEN
[ 6 ] VI. Hierarchial Trisagion	LISTEN
[ 7 ] VII. Dynamis (Manuel Chrysaphes the Lampadarios)	LISTEN

[ 8 ] Vasilissa ergo gaude (Guillaume Dufay)	LISTEN
[ 9 ] Hymn for Great Compline (Manuel Gases the Lampadarios)	LISTEN
[10] Apostolo glorioso (Guillaume Dufay)	LISTEN
[11] Kyrie (Cunctipotens genitor)	LISTEN
[12] Ecclesiae militantis (Guillaume Dufay)	LISTEN
[13] Canon in Honor of Thomas Aquinas: Ode 1 (John Plousiadenos)	LISTEN
[14] Communion Verse (John Plousiadenos)	LISTEN
[15] Canon for the Council of Florence: Ode 5 (John Plousiadenos)	LISTEN
[16] Lament for the Fall of Constantinople (Manuel Chrysaphes)	LISTEN
[17] Lamentatio Sanctae Matris Ecclesiae Constantinopolitanae (Guillaume Dufay)	LISTEN