Benedict Sheehan’s Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom in The Living Church Magazine

Geoffrey Williams reviews Benedict Sheehan and The Saint Tikhon Choir’s recording of Benedict Sheehan’s Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom for The Living Church Magazine:

“Sheehan and his fine singers have brought to life a new piece that bridges the gap both between the centuries and between the traditions of East and West. The choir is a blend of seminarians and professional choral artists from across the country. This blend is apparent in the cohesive singing, but also in the clear, shared intent of interpretation, a credit to the composer as conductor. … this performance sets a new standard for excellence in the American choral landscape. … this performance expresses text with a fresh clarity of intention from movement to movement. … Sheehan’s compositional voice follows in the footsteps of the 20th and 21st century phenomena Arvo Pärt, Jon Tavener, and Ivan Moody, taking a uniquely American approach and color when paired with the influence of ancient chant. This approach is remarkably unsentimental, which reflects a real sense of compositional maturity. … [a] vibrant contribution to the choral repertoire both in and outside of the Lord’s temple.”

—Geoffrey Williams, The Living Church