Liturgy Of St. John Chrystostom

Released in 2023 by Budapest Music Center Records, this recording features the Saint Ephraim Male Choir performing Miklós Mohay’s setting of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. The work reflects a contemporary approach to the Eastern Orthodox liturgical tradition, bridging the gap between historical ecclesiastical chant and modern compositional sensibilities. Mohay, a Hungarian composer noted for his interest in sacred music, sought to create a soundscape that honors the solemnity of the rite while employing the intricate harmonic textures characteristic of his broader body of work.

The Saint Ephraim Male Choir, founded in 2002 by Tamás Bubnó, has become one of Hungary's foremost vocal ensembles, specifically renowned for their mastery of Byzantine and Slavic musical traditions. Their interpretation of Mohay’s score was recorded to capture the resonant acoustics suited to this liturgical form, emphasizing the meditative and transcendental qualities of the text. Upon its release, the recording was recognized for the ensemble’s technical precision and the composer's successful integration of traditional prayer structures with a distinctively contemporary classical voice.