Rachmaninov, S.: Vespers, Op. 37 (Live) Tenebrae & Nigel Short

• Sergei Rachmaninoff (b.1943): All-night Vigil, Op. 37: No. 6, Ave Maria:
• 1 Beginning song: Come let us worship 02:13
• 2 All-night Vigil, Op. 37: No. 6, Ave Maria (Live): Psalm 103, "O praise the Lord" 04:46
• 3 Psalm 1, "Blessed is the man" 05:15
• 4 O Joyful Light 02:35
• 5 Song of Simeon: Lord, now let your servant depart 03:11
• 6 Hail, O Virgin Mother 03:05
• 7 Hexapsalms: Glory to God on high 02:28
• 8 Psalm 134-135, "O praise the name of the Lord" 02:04
• 9 Glorifying song of the Resurrection: Teach me O lord in the way of truth 05:35
• 10 Hymn of Resurrection: We have seen the resurrection 02:57
• 11 Magnificat: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord 08:10
• 12 Great Doxology: Glory be to God on high 07:06
• 13 Resurrection hymn: This day of salvation has com to the world 01:44
• 14 Resurrection hymn: When you had risen 03:17
• 15 Thanksgiving hymn of Virgin Mary: O victorious leader 02:46
• Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, Op. 31:
• 16 XII. Tebe poyem (We praise thee) 03:02
• Total Runtime 01:00:14

Info for Rachmaninov, S.: Vespers, Op. 37 (Live)

Signum Classics are proud to release a LIVE recording of the stirring performance by Tenebrae of Rachmaninoff’s ‘All-Night Vigil’ (Vsenoshchnoye bdeniye, Op. 37).

The recording was made live at the North Wales International Music Festival in conjunction with Boosey & Hawkes, Music Publishers Ltd.

The roots of the Russian Orthodox Church are traceable back into the Third Century A.D. Whilst Western forms of Christianity continued to evolve, the Orthodox tradition has been preserved largely intact since the 11th Century, despite persecution of the Church under an intolerant Communist regime in Russia.

The music of the Russian Orthodox Church features vocal chants, the oldest of which is known as znamenny (from the Slavonic znamia meaning “sign”). The melody of this chant is extremely simple, and whilst other composers added their characteristic harmonic effects, Rachmaninoff consciously preserved the modal purity of the original in his setting of the Vespers.

The all-night vigil is celebrated on the eve of the main feasts of the Orthodox Church. Originally it lasted all night and consisted of three separate services to celebrate the beauty of the setting sun, and to reflect on the spiritual light of Christ as the new light of the coming day and the eternal light of heaven. Rachmaninoff’s setting of the vigil was written in 1915, in the middle of the First World War. He has used authentic znamenny chant in seven movements, with two movements employing Greek chants.

“Even in my dreams I could not have imagined that I would write such a work” Rachmaninoff told the singers at the first performance in March 1915.

The work is dedicated to the scholar Stephan Vasilevitch Smolensky who introduced Rachmaninoff to the repertoire of the church, however the composer’s inspiration was as much politically motivated as spiritually – the composition was a powerful affirmation of nationalism during the war.

Tenebrae characteristically create an atmosphere of spiritual and musical reflection at their performances, using candlelight and movement within ecclesiastical venues.

"Nigel Short and Tenebrae have just the right balance of control and passion, reverence and exuberance that makes for such a superb performance." (The Organ)

"The result is both intimate and powerfully atmospheric, shedding new and memorable light on what usually comes across as a massive choral spectacular." (Classic FM Magazine)

"The All-Night Vigil is celebrated on the eve of the main feasts of the Russian Orthodox church with the purpose of showing a sense of beauty in the setting sun." (Classic FM Magazine)

Tenebrae Nigel Short, conductor

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