Chants from the Syrian and Maronite Tradition
“Hayya Mai min loubnan” (Come with me and leave Lebanon) – Song of Songs 4:8
“Tawnimar” (Let us Announce Mary’s Beatitude) from the Midnight Mass according to the Syrian-Orthodox Tradition – Ephrem the Syrian (4th Century)
“Yawno Tlito” (The Young Dove Carries the Eagle) from the Midnight Mass according to the Syrian-Catholic Tradition – Ephrem the Syrian (4th Century)
“Gbo wo – Baytun Maghara” (A House, a Manger!) from Midnight Mass according to the Maronite Tradition – Ephrem the Syrian (4th Century)
Limaza ta’jabina ya Mariam (Why do you marvel, o Mary?)
from the Midnight Mass according to the Byzantine-Melkite Tradition
Anti-Ya-Walidata-l-ilah (You, Mother of God)
Excerpt from the Hymn of Akathistos – St. Romanos, 6th Century, Melkite Tradition
Magnificat (My Soul Magnifies the Lord)
Magnificat, Luke 1, 46-55
Music: Sœur Marie Keyrouz
Jami’ou-l-Aiyal (All People Praise You)
Hymn for the Passing of the Virgin Mary, Melkite Tradition
Tahadat (Mary has appeared at the Foot of the Cross of Jesus)
Good Friday Passion, Maronite Tradition
Inna-l-malak (And the Angel Spoke to Her)
Resurrection, Melkite Tradition
Mariam (Mayr, Dry Your Tears, Christ has Risen)
Resurrection, Melkite Tradition
Axion Esti (It is tryly Right to Praise You)
Hymn in Honour of Theotokos from the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom – 6th Century, Byzantine Tradition
For years, Sœur Marie Keyrouz, originally from Lebanon and now living in Paris, has been advocating interreligious understanding and an open regard of cultures for each other. Together with singers and musicians from the various regions of Lebanon, she founded her ensemble Vocal de la Paix in 1984, a living contribution to peace in her country. Her extraordinary voice opens a path to her audience’s hearts, introducing it to the archaic power of Middle Eastern music: from traditional Marian chants of the Maronites to Byzantine and Melkite hymns, all the way to songs that are Arabic in language and musical form. Proceeds from Sœur Marie Keyrouz’ concerts finance several orphanages in Lebanon. In Salzburg, she and her ensemble dedicate themselves to the vocal traditions of the Melkite, Maronite and Aramaic churches.