The Prophets Proclaimed Thee

Mily Balakirev, the acknowledged leader of the Russian Mighty Five, wrote but a small number of sacred choral works. While a few of them were based on pre-existing chants, The Prophets Proclaimed, is composed in a common-practice harmonic style that typifies Russian church music in nineteenth-century St. Petersburg. Because of Balakirev's service as Director of the Imperial Court Chapel (1883-1894), it is likely that this stately and solemn chorus, sung during the vesting of a bishop at the start of the Divine Liturgy, would have been heard at the splendid Court churches and cathedrals of Russia’s Imperial capital.