The main difference between Russian orthodox music and western music is as follows church music of the west is western music is more detached and flowering, while Russian music has more of an emotional quality to it.

The range of notes and sounds in the west is less than the range and Russian orthodox music.  In Russian orthodox music often times you do you get very deep male voices hitting the low range notes I did not know existed, and very high female voices.

I believe the basis of Byzantine music from Russia and its depth is because Orthodoxy is more traditional than even the catholic church.  This difference between east and west in liturgical music of the Russian church comes not from the theology but rather from its connection to the Middle Ages and mysticism, but also the connection with nature.

It is almost like the Russian church is monastic in nature and the music in the Russian church reflects this. Its deep sounds and other worldly feel appeals to emotion rather than to intellect.

My experience with Russian church music

I am American but my grandparents came from Ukraine.  And because of this I had a lot of exposure to this Eastern Music.  I love it.  Growing up in snowy New England I would imagine myself in the middle of a Siberian forest as I fell asleep to these chants.

I think chants in general are great for learning.  Many people think Baroque music is the best but I think this brings you do alpha waves.  I think theta or even delta waves are the best for learning or at least assimilating the knowledge you have studied.  This is where  ancients chants from Russia come in.

One of the best places to find free Russian music is Youtube of course.  I scan it and come up with a play list.

Even if you do not understand what is being chanted, and I do not know many people who do, it is peaceful music.

Let me know what your experiences have been or your impression of this ancient mystical chant music from Russia.