Rachmaninov Vespers

Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943), primarily known for his virtuosic piano concertos and the romantic lyricism of his symphonies, turned to the liturgy of the Russian Orthodox Church when he composed his reflective and deeply moving set of Vespers. His All-Night Vigil was premiered in 1915. Russia was in political turmoil at the time; the First World War had begun the previous year and, despite being in a state of chaos following the revolution of 1905, the country was committed to securing the Eastern Front on behalf of the Allies. It was against this turbulent backdrop that Rachmaninov composed his Vespers – one of his most introspective and heartfelt works. Rachmaninov had a deep and very personal religious faith, which he expresses beautifully through this collection of unaccompanied choral settings. By separating them into two parts, the evening Vespers and the morning Matins – both full of exquisitely rich harmonies – Rachmaninov followed the Church’s tradition by including ten sections of Russian chants, with the remaining five much freer in form. The result is a subtle and captivating expression of the composer’s spiritual belief, through music that is engaging, atmospheric and supremely graceful.