Blazhen muzh-- How Blest the Man

Pavel Chesnokov was born in Voskresensk, Russia, and attended the Moscow Synodal School where his teachers included Kastalsky, Smolensky and Arensky. "Blazhen muzh" is the second movement of Chesnokov's setting of the All-Night Vigil Op. 44. It evokes the spirit of ancient Kievan chant in its use of a bass soloist who intones the verses of the psalm while the chorus follows with repeated portions of the text. Tradition is also observed in the thrice-repeated choral "Alleluia" refrains which follow each verse of the psalm text.