Classical Music | Choral Music

Recorded on 08/17/2004, uploaded on 01/15/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Sergei Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil, or as it is commonly called, Vespers, was premiered on March 10, 1915 amidst the hardships of Russia’s efforts in World War I. It was praised by critics and audience alike and enjoyed a brief success before the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the rise of the Bolsheviks lead to an official condemnation of all religious music. Interestingly, the first recording of the work was made in 1965 in Soviet Russia. However, due to the communist government’s anti-religious policies, that recording was never made available for sale within the country, and even outside of Russia it was difficult to obtain. Indeed, it was not until 1973 that this legendary recording did not become available in the United States, and only then by great efforts on the part of producer Robert E. Meyers.

Composed during a two-week period in January and February of 1915, the All-Night Vigil was Rachmaninoff’s second sacred work, which is perhaps interesting since he was not particularly close to the Russian Orthodox Church or attended services. He was nonetheless profoundly affected by its music, and included Orthodox chants in his First Symphony. Comprised of fifteen movements, it is a setting of texts taken from the All-night Vigil ceremony, a compilation of texts from the three canonical hours of Vespers, Matins and the First Hour.

Scored for a cappella choir, Rachmaninoff makes use of both old and new in the All-Night Vigil. The work draws heavily on three styles of chants: znamenny, recitational “Greek,” and the more folk-like “Kiev.” Indeed, some of the movements are so permeated by the chant style that Rachmaninoff called them “conscious counterfeits.” Another source of inspiration for the composer was Tchaikovsky’s setting of the ceremony. Blended with the traditional and ancient elements of the chant are Rachmaninoff’s modally and chromatically infused harmonic language and the complexity of his polyphonic writing. Along with The Bells, the All-Night Vigil was one of the composer’s favorite works and requested that its fifth movement be performed at his funeral.      Joseph DuBose

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Bogoroditse Devo from the Vespers     Sergei Rachmaninov

Sergei Rachmaninov's music is characterized by memorable soaring melodies, romantic harmonies and a distinctive Russian flavor. The Vespers (1915) represent the summit of Russian choral music. This is a setting of the Ave Maria.

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos,

Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee,

Blessed art Thou among women,

And blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb,

For Thou hast borne the Savior of our souls.

Christopher Bell

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.