coptichymns.net - Sharing the Joy of Coptic Hymns Around the World

AnthonyXM

posted on May 26, 2008 - 05:12 AM

Greetings Friends,
I can't seem to get the hymns to stream.
I have a large collection of church music, and my favorites are the basso profundo hymns of the Russian Orthodox church. I awaken to the computer playing Kol'slaven Nash as an alarm clock. The only Greek Orthodox music I have found are chants in the ancient Greek style.
I guess I'm going to have to buy some CDs to know, but do hymns of the Coptic church resemble the Greek and Russian Orthodox singing? I notice a lot of similarities in the three great Orthodoxies, as if you have a common base.
Pardon my being such a nosy guest but I find your church most interesting - can't help myself.

God bless you. Anthony

Joined: May 26, 2008 | Posts: 25

AMoussa01

posted on May 26, 2008 - 05:48 AM

Welcome to the site! The hymns of the coptic church are like unlike any hymns you have ever heard. These hymns are the most melismatic and complex you will find. Some say that they originate from the ancient pharaonic music (during time of ancient egypt). I recommend going on the copticheritage.org site, on the right hand side they have some audio productions of hymns depending on occasion. Anyway, if you click on them, you will be able to listen to samples. They sound very nice, i recommend it!

God Bless
Tony

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Joined: Jan 08, 2007 | Posts: 519
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AnthonyXM

posted on May 26, 2008 - 06:46 AM

Thank you for the pointer Tony - alas those won't play for me either.
However I did find Hymn to the Holy Trinity in arabic on one of my collection CDs.
Except for the cymbals it sounds much like the ancient Greek chants I have.
It sounds even more similar to the Russian Orthodox Liturgy of St John Chrysostom with chimes believe it or not.
Alas I think St Cyril gave the Russians a special gift of song from God; they beat us all when it comes to that. The best Vatican choir can't match a hundred basso voices singing Hymn of the Cherubim.
It does sound distinctly Egyptian.
A Voice of your Own to God.

God bless you. Anthony

Joined: May 26, 2008 | Posts: 25

Epideacon

posted on May 26, 2008 - 02:13 PM

You need RealPlayer to stream the hymns both on this site and on copticheritage.org. I take it you either have a Mac and are using iTunes or you just don't have RealPlayer. You can download realplayer for free, just google "real player". Then you should be fine.

Happy Praising!

Joined: Apr 26, 2006 | Posts: 95

AnthonyXM

posted on May 26, 2008 - 03:17 PM

Thank you Epideacon,
Real conflicts with some of my software so I removed it. These computers can be cranky children.

God bless you. Anthony

Joined: May 26, 2008 | Posts: 25

ophadeece

posted on May 26, 2008 - 06:36 PM

Dear AnthonyXM,
You can try www.tasbeha.org; there are thousands of downloadable hymns and liturgies; mind you you only have 15 songs per day maximum download limit; still you can listen to them streamed online, and many will play with regular media player. Try the section of resurrection; there are a couple of Greek-originally hymns, and that goes for Nativity as well. I have some Greek Orthodox friends who told me that they even sound similar to modern Greek hymns, and not only the ancient ones. Enjoy and please let us know of your experience.
God bless you and pray for us a lot

Joined: Oct 01, 2007 | Posts: 109
Location: Wolverhampton, UK

AnthonyXM

posted on May 26, 2008 - 07:18 PM

Thank you Ophadeece.

If I play my Greek chants for others they will likely say "eh.. okay". Especially if they are fond - like me - of great thundering song that rushes us to the sky on the wings of great fiery eagles, like the crescendo of the 1812 Overture does. Triumphal, glorious. Eternal.

Yet I point out to them that they are hearing the first songs to our Lord, sung simply by those who lived when Claudians were still emperors - and the grief was still fresh in their voices. Therein is a simple treasure beyond price.

I wonder that in the great Orthodoxies is still found the true body of Christ, unsullied and uncorrupted.

Thank you again and I will give you my feedback.

God bless you. Anthony

Joined: May 26, 2008 | Posts: 25

AnthonyXM

posted on May 28, 2008 - 04:26 AM

Alas Ophadeece it seems the Tasbeha site requires Real Player too.
Guess I'll have to get some CDs. I registered on the site but due to a profile bug I had to delete the account - not my week I guess.

God bless you. Anthony

Joined: May 26, 2008 | Posts: 25

ophadeece

posted on May 28, 2008 - 04:19 PM

Dear Anthony,
You can PM me your MSN contact details if you have one, and I can meet you online and give you some hymns.
God bless you and pray for us a lot

Joined: Oct 01, 2007 | Posts: 109
Location: Wolverhampton, UK