Why this setting in Afrikaans?
My inspiration for setting the Orthodox Liturgy in Afrikaans to the Psalm melodies of particularly Goudimel, is the result of getting to know the Psalm singing evenings I encountered on RUclips, which André Nieuwkoop began some years ago in the Netherlands and which is attended by large crowds, often by more than a thousand people. I found these melodies deeply moving and was struck by their spiritual depth. I shared this with a confrere in the USA, who is half Afrikaans, and his comment after listening to a great deal of this, was, "Profoundly prayerful genius!" I then investigated the possibility of using some of these melodies for the setting to music of the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church in Afrikaans and was pleasantly surprised to find that not only was it possible, but that this music was able to embody the spiritual depth of the Liturgy beautifully.

May this recording be a blessing to many!

Fr. Zacharias van Wyk