Paschal Hymn in Chinese 正教会复活短颂
The paschal season is over...ish. We have celebrated the Feast of Ascension, so we are not singing "Christ is risen..." anymore, but if you follow the example of St. Seraphim of Sarov, it is always the season for Pascha. Every Sunday is a little Pascha. So, since we can still celebrate Pascha, here is a little look into "Christ is risen..." in Chinese.
This little family started in China, and there are plenty of ties to China deep in our hearts. We have been singing "Christ is risen..." in Chinese for several years now as a family. Interestingly, when I wanted to share that version here, I went poking around online, and could not find it, anywhere...but stick with me...I do share it at the end.
About the only version I could find in Chinese was set to a common Greek tune. That one is easy to find...you even run into the same recording of it, by the same ensemble, over and over. I will have to say, I like that same arrangement much better sung by some of the faithful in Hong Kong: it is more colloquial, more simple.
Then, in searching, I stumbled across one version I had never heard before. I love the idea of adapting music already present in the culture. In this recording, "Christ is risen..." (基督已经从死里复活) is set to music from "Cantonese opera"!
So, the only way I knew to share our family's preferred melody with you was to upload it. This recording, too, comes out of Hong Kong (judging by the accent), but it is sung in Mandarin Chinese. I do not know of any Russian or Greek tune that is similar to this, and it sounds very Chinese to my ear. It reminds me of the fusion between Chinese folk and Western classical music of the early 20th century. I would love to know the background. It may be wishful thinking, but I dream of this tune coming from the Chinese Orthodox Church of that time, which had something along the lines of 200 churches, multiple monasteries, and their own self-ruling bishop.
求主怜悯！
This little family started in China, and there are plenty of ties to China deep in our hearts. We have been singing "Christ is risen..." in Chinese for several years now as a family. Interestingly, when I wanted to share that version here, I went poking around online, and could not find it, anywhere...but stick with me...I do share it at the end.
About the only version I could find in Chinese was set to a common Greek tune. That one is easy to find...you even run into the same recording of it, by the same ensemble, over and over. I will have to say, I like that same arrangement much better sung by some of the faithful in Hong Kong: it is more colloquial, more simple.
Then, in searching, I stumbled across one version I had never heard before. I love the idea of adapting music already present in the culture. In this recording, "Christ is risen..." (基督已经从死里复活) is set to music from "Cantonese opera"!
So, the only way I knew to share our family's preferred melody with you was to upload it. This recording, too, comes out of Hong Kong (judging by the accent), but it is sung in Mandarin Chinese. I do not know of any Russian or Greek tune that is similar to this, and it sounds very Chinese to my ear. It reminds me of the fusion between Chinese folk and Western classical music of the early 20th century. I would love to know the background. It may be wishful thinking, but I dream of this tune coming from the Chinese Orthodox Church of that time, which had something along the lines of 200 churches, multiple monasteries, and their own self-ruling bishop.
求主怜悯！
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