Technically, the piece is called the allnight vigil because the pieces contains are found in both the vespers and matins service of the russian orthodox church. Mass for mixed choir, op 37 valery polyansky, conductor recorded live at the smolensk cathedral 1. Rachmaninoff composed the allnight vigil in less than two weeks in january and february 1915. The corydon singers recording of rachmaninov s vespers is extremely moving and beautifully sung. The allnight vigil is an a cappella choral composition by sergei rachmaninoff, his op. Conducted by matthew best with soloists joya logan, alto and john bowen, tenor, it is an outstanding version. I hope this will not be the last recording of russian music by the excellent holst singers. Romanization of the russian as well as its translation are as they appear on the release itself. Aug 01, 2010 listen to your favorite songs from rachmaninov. Petersburg chamber choir on allmusic 1994 while there are plenty of contestants these days. Vespers to enjoy in your home or car, or gift it to another music lover. Ptc5186027rachmaninov vespers albums nativedsd music. Commonly, but incorrectly, known as the vespers, this work is in fact a setting of three services for the canonical hours.
There are of course many fine versions of rachmaninov s vespers with mixedvoice choirs, both within the russian tradition for which the work was written and outside it. Rachmaninov o theotokos evervigilant in prayer by vitaliygr. An extract of a movement from rachmaninoff s allnight vigil commonly known as his vespers as recorded on the holst singers critically acclaimed album ikon ii. John chrysostom by a composer who had stopped attending church services. Contemporary listeners in new york enjoyed the chance to usher in this new year with the vespers.
This is the first to feature a choir of boys and mens voices only. Petersburg chamber choirs album titled rachmaninov. For their latest concert, the chichester singers produced a programme with a variety of littleknown works, most of which were based on instrumentation by organ and brass only. Rachmaninov vespers 2003 pentatone nativedsd music. Although in western europe it is virtually taken for granted that a composer who is wellversed in all genres also writes church music, thereby enriching the catholic or protestant religions with this sacred music composed for all different ensembles, russian composers did not discover sacred music until relatively recently. The roots of the russian orthodox church are traceable back into the third century a. With the support of their president, james bowman, and musical director, stephen layton, the choir has developed its interest in exploring new and neglected works as well as core choral repertoire. Order from your preferred classical music cd store arkivmusic. Secon alto part from rachmaninov vespers opus 37 all night vigil, for practicing purposes. Clarion choir in rachmaninoffs vespers the new york times. It was for this moscow synodal choir that rachmaninov wrote his setting of the all night vigil op. Vespers classical music album play streams in full or download mp3 from classical archives, the largest and best organized classical music site on the web. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Allnight vigil, actually just an hour in duration and commonly known simply as his vespers, was 100 years old in.
Rachmaninoff robert shaw festival singers robert shaw. The leading american choral conductor for more than half a century, robert shaws ability to create a blended, powerful sound from almost any group of professional or amatuer singers is legendary. Priidite, poklonimsya i pripadem samomu khristu tsarevi i bogu nashemu. And if you cant get your hands on the sveshnikov recording, the version by the corydon singers under matthew best is the definitive version to own.
By the time he left russia in 1917, rachmaninov was greatly admired as a celebrated composer, conductor of the bolshoi theatre and an internationally touring virtuoso pianist. Vespers is part of the allnight vigil service, and grechaninovs setting was composed, premiered, and published in 1912. Following sell out performances at st sophias greek orthodox cathedral, london november 2015 and merton college, oxford february 2016, the holst singers, led by stephen layton, will give a performance of the splendid and iconic rachmaninoff allnight vigil in beautiful rochester cathedral. Steven fox conducted the clarion choir in an inspired interpretation at trinity wall street on.
Following sellout performances at st sophias greek orthodox cathedral, london november 2015 and merton college, oxford february 2016, the holst singers, led by stephen layton, will give a performance of the splendid and iconic rachmaninoffs allnight. Vocal scores for rachmaninov allnight vigil the allnight vigil also known, more commonly in englishspeaking countries, as the vespers is notable as one of two liturgical settings the other being the liturgy of st. The holst singers is one of britains foremost choirs, described by the bbc as a leading chorus on the international stage. The tradition of russian choral music stands today as rich and diverse as at any time in its long history, and this recording brings movements from the liturgies by tchaikovsky and gretchaninov together with seven beautiful pieces by georgy sviridov. The allnight vigil is perhaps notable as one of two liturgical settings the other being the liturgy of st.
Rachmaninoffs music was beautiful, powerful, and meaningful to all singers and audience alike. The breathtaking reading builds on a serene affirmation of religious faith, adding an array of timbral and harmonic effects and virtuosic techniques. Tenebraes recording of rachmaninoff vespers was made live at the north wales international music festival in 2004. Rachmaninov vespers programme notes the cantate choir. As it is, theres plenty of choice for this masterpiece, ranging from the now classic corydon singers on hyperion in the best english choral tradition with very fine soloists to the more idiomatic versions by several russian choirs, such as the moscow academy of choral art on delos. There are of course many fine versions of rachmaninovs vespers with mixedvoice choirs, both within the russian tradition for which the work was written and outside it. The vespers are powerfully rooted in past traditions. Rachmaninovs 1910 version of the orthodox daily rite once fell foul of liturgical purists. Mixed chorus sheet music book by sergei rachmaninoff 18731943. Rachmaninovs vespers details past performances 24th march 2015 one hundred years after its first performance, the esterhazy singers celebrated the centenary of rachmaninovs allnight vigil with a special performance of the muchloved work in the beautiful surroundings of st andrews church in holborn.
Robert shaws recording of the rachmaninov vespers is by far the best i have heard and i have heard a number of different recordings of this work. Rachmaninovs vespers consists of settings of texts taken from the russian orthodox. To be honest, i havent stopped listening to this album since i purchased it last week. Rachmaninov vespers 2003 rachmaninov st petersburg chamber choir nikolai korniev. Rachmaninov the allnight vigil vespers vestchernya vespers 1. The depth and intensity of vocal sonorities and passionate nature of the music brings the feel of a meditative ritual to any performance.
Any mention of sergei rachmaninov and thoughts tend to turn either to his extravagant, virtuosic piano concertos or to the romantic lyricism of his symphonies. The corydon singers recording of rachmaninovs vespers is extremely moving and beautifully sung. Sergei rachmaninoff vespers mass for mixed choir, op. Here, with a handpicked ensemble, he turns to one of the most beautiful works in the russian choral literature. Grechaninovs vespers is one that russian classical music lovers. This has that slavic flair thats found in rachmaninovs vespers and tchaikovskys liturgy. The latvian radio choir performs a work hailed as the greatest musical achievement of the russian orthodox church.
I agree to my personal data being stored and used to receive information from the holst singers, in line with our data protection policy. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. I agree to my personal data being stored and used to receive information from the holst singers, in line with our data protection policy holst singers data. Marys cathedral memphis, tennessee sunday, february 15, 1998, tony garner, conductor. A proper full translation of track 6 will be rejoice, o virgin mother of god. Rachmaninoffs vespers powerfully moving choral masterpieces. Vespers begins at sunset and reflects on the idea of christ as the light of the world. Although in western europe it is virtually taken for granted that a composer who is wellversed in all genres also writes church music, thereby enriching the catholic or protestant religions with this sacred music composed for all different ensembles, russian. The breathtaking reading builds on a serene affirmation of reli. However the usage of the title vespers is wellestablished, and is not likely to be superseded any more. However, the first, and best known work was the totally unaccompanied set of choral. Vespers by sergei rachmaninov, stephen cleobury, choir of kings college cambridge, james gilchrist, richard eteson from amazons. Various magnificat 500 years of choral masterworks discogs.
An evening of russian choral gems with the holst singers by. This is the liturgical language of the russian orthodox church, which is a semi. So for that reason, i think that this particular recording probably comes closest to hearing the vespers or allnight vigil from the baton of rachmaninov himself. The rachmaninov vespers 1993 recording nikolai korniev, st. Nigel short and tenebrae have just the right balance of control and passion, reverence and exuberance that makes for such a superb performance. This 2cd collection brings together the calmest and most thoughtful sacred songs ever written, performed by the worlds greatest singers including andrea bocelli, luciano pavarotti, jonas kaufmann, anna netrebko, renee fleming, jose carreras and bryn terfel. I am a music teacher but i am not a choral specialist. Rachmaninov vespers 8 praise the name of the lord ps. Following a sellout performance at st sophias greek orthodox cathedral, london in november 2015, the holst singers, led by stephen layton, will give a performance of the splendid and iconic rachmaninoff s allnight vigil in the beautiful chapel of merton college, oxford. Rachmaninovs refreshing all night vigil written around the time of world war one, sergei rachmaninovs all night vigil is an extraordinary choral music composition. Rachmaninovs allnight vigil widely regarded as the pinnacle of orthodox church music deftly deploys choral orchestration, an array of. What is it about rachmaninov s vespers or the allnight vigil that makes it such a haunting cornerstone of the choral repertoire.
Conducted by matthew best with soloists joya logan, alto. The composer also used russian folk song techniques for the singers, to give the all night vigil a completely russian choral sound. One of the many sensitive and beautiful moments at the end of the seventh movement of rachmaninoff s allnight vigil, in rehearsal with the holst singers and stephen layton. Discover what really went into this remarkable piece. The choir pairs the work with rachmaninov s early o mother of god vigilantly praying. Choraline rehearsal recordings are learning tools specifically created for you learn to sing your part. Jul 12, 2006 rachmaninovs refreshing all night vigil written around the time of world war one, sergei rachmaninovs all night vigil is an extraordinary choral music composition. In the year of the 100th anniversary of rachmaninoff s allnight vigil actually just an hour in duration and commonly known simply as his vespers, the holst singers, led by stephen layton, will give a performance of this splendid and iconic work in the glorious surroundings of the greek orthodox cathedral of the divine wisdom, aghia sophia, in londons bayswater. This new disc from the peter broadbent and the joyful company of singers presents rachmaninov s all night vigil vespers op. Buy rachmaninov vespers and complete allnight vigil by estonian philharmonic chamber choir, rachmaninov, paul hillier from amazons classical music store. Rachmaninov allnight vigil vespers rachmaninovs all night vigil vsenoshchnoe bdenie is generally known in englishspeaking countries as the vespers, but this translation is incorrect.
Rachmaninovs allnight vigil vespers is also one of the loveliest. Written in 1915, a few years before the revolution, rachmaninovs rich, sensual and intense work draws on the liturgy of the orthodox church and creates a choral masterpiece. An extract of a movement from rachmaninoffs allnight vigil commonly known as his vespers as recorded on the holst singers critically. The holst singers perform a rich programme of russian music at. Vespers matthew best, corydon singers on allmusic 1991. Aug, 2017 the latvian radio choir performs a work hailed as the greatest musical achievement of the russian orthodox church. A wonderful way to provide support april 5, 2020 it can seem pretty bleak at the moment but people in the health service and beyond are doing amazing, hopecreating things. Alexander grechaninov, stephen layton, holst singers. Ever since it was first issued in 1965, alexander sveshnikovs recording of rachmaninoffs allnight vigil has been regarded as a musthave classic by all collectors and fanciers of russian sacred choral music. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile.
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