This page lists all recordings of Vespers, Op. 37 (All-Night Vigil), by Sergey Vassilievich Rachmaninov (1873-1943) on CD, SACD & download (MP3 & FLAC). Generally, more recent releases are listed first, but with priority given to those that are in stock. |
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Latvian Radio Choir, Sigvards Kļava This new release of Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil follows several acclaimed releases from the Latvian Radio Choir under its Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sigvards Kļava. Rachmaninov’s Liturgy of St John Chrysostom (ODE11515) and the All-Night Vigil are two supreme examples of choral writing in the Russian Orthodox tradition, featuring music of uplifting spiritual strength. The All-Night Vigil is composed for unaccompanied voices but Rachmaninov created a work of such richness that it can be described as “choral orchestration”, demanding a wide vocal range from the singers. The Latvian Radio Choir is regarded as one of the top professional chamber choirs in Europe. Their repertoire extends from the Renaissance to the present day, but always focussing on exploring the capabilities of the voice and seeking to push its limits. Sigvards Kļava, Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Latvian Radio Choir since 1992, is one of Latvia’s most prolific choral conductors. He has conducted many premières of new choral works by Latvian composers. “Under the masterly direction of Sigvards Klava, the Latvians display the barrel-chested Slavonic tonal resources Rachmaninov would have expected — sepulchral basses, soft-grained but strong sopranos, tenors who soar without strain — but also a precision alien to Russian choirs” The Times, 17th November 2012 ***** “You would need to go far to hear a richer, more rounded alto section than this. They are supported by a wonderfully firm bass line...you want to single out each section for particular praise: the gloriously clear-toned and vital sopranos an the ardent, sweet-voiced tenor section.” International Record Review, December 2012 “Klava's interpretation doesn't give the sensation of dragging...He carefully draws out every dramatic nuance from this choral feast. His two dozen singers produce a well-nourished tutti and sound like a much larger group...There is a wonderfully kaleidoscopic (though carefully graded) palette of vocal colours throughout...The Latvians' unanimity of attack is well-nigh perfect...This is a sublimely beautiful yet rapturous recording.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2013 “the Rachmaninov of Latvia's outstanding professional choir presents a golden mean between the uniquely open-throated but not always pitch-perfect Glinka Choir of the hallowed St Petersburg tradition, and the more reserved tones of English choral contenders...this performance is a remarkable achievement” BBC Music Magazine, March 2013 **** | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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The State Academic Choir USSR, Alexander Sveshnikov The Vespers by Rachmaninov has become one of the choral treasures of Russian Sacred Music. Premiered in March 1915 it has remained a firm favourite ever since. Deeply moving and packed full of glorious rich sounds and tones, this is unmistakably Russian music. This release is part of a series dedicated to the art of the outstanding conductor Alexander Sveshnikov. This recording stands as one of his most outstanding achievements. “On this analogue recording the sound is less bright and the performance less nimble than on Rostropovich's version (see below), but its emotional power and textural richness make it a very serious option.” BBC Music Magazine, April 2009 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Re-issued from the recording made a few years ago. "a very serious competitor indeed." Gramophone | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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“Rich and atmospheric, a blissfully unhurried reading” BBC Music Magazine “Outstanding. A performance that is at once perceptive, sympathetic and finely sung” Gramophone Magazine “An outstanding version—the finest of all” International Record Review “A most beautiful performance, very well sung and recorded” Penguin Guide | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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Dale Warland Singers, Dale Warland | |
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Olga Borusene (soprano), Yuri Korinnyk (tenor) & Mykhaylo Tyshchenko (tenor) The National Academic Choir of Ukraine ‘Dumka’, Yevhen Savchuk Rachmaninoff was not a great churchgoer, and in fact had stopped going completely by the time he composed his Vespers, and his other great a cappella work, the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom op.31. Nevertheless, he retained a love for and interest in the ecclesiastical chant, and perhaps the most famous of these, the Dies irae, appears in his First Symphony and the late Symphonic Dances of 1940. Rachmaninoff, like his great predecessor Tchaikovsky, was very critical of his own music, but he considered the Vespers and his choral symphony The Bells among his favourites. The Vespers had to wait until 1965 for the first recording due to the Soviet anti-religion stance. Even then it was released for export only. Russian Orthodox Church music never fails to move and stir the emotions, whether one is religious or not. Rachmaninoff ’s Vespers, like many of his most popular works, does not disappoint in its emotional impact and sincerity. | | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
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Moscow Academy of Choral Art, Victor Popov | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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Gramophone Magazine