tsjaikovski 2

Critical opinion was divided. 

In his review of the work, César Cui [componist en muziekcriticus] acknowledged the importance of the work and its 'almost political significance', but was less complimentary about the work itself.

Ambrose, the vicar of Moscow, was particularly opposed to the work. He published a letter in the Rouss, in which he asserted that the public performance of the liturgy was a profanation... 'We cannot begin to say how the combination of the words 'Liturgy' and 'Tchaikovsky' offend the ear of the Orthodox Christian'... He asked what would happen if a Jewish composer should create a setting of the liturgy: 'Our most sacred words would be mocked at and hissed'. 

Ambrose also refused the performance of Tchaikovsky's Liturgy at his friend Nikolai Rubinstein's funeral. Tchaikovsky's brother Modest wrote that his brother was 'deeply hurt' by the vicar's opinion of the work.

[wikipedia]