Sergei Rachmaninov
All-Night Vigil, Op. 37
Liner notes in English and Finnish. Lyrics with English translation.
SACD
Released:
November 2012
Catalogue No.:
ODE 1206-5
EAN/UPC Code:
0761195120651
This is a siblimely beautiful yet rapturous recording.
Malcolm Riley, Gramophone 2/2013, Recording of the Month
Die kolossalen Turmbauten von den Bassi profundi bis in die leuchtenden Höhen, die ekstatischen Andeutungen in den Alleluja-Abschnitten, die spürbare Freude der Lobgesänge, dazu die verwirrendbetörenden „Frequenzen" der gesummten Orgelpunkte - auch nach mehrfachem Erleben verliert diese Veröffentlichung nichts von ihrem spezifischen Zauber. Und das ist ... das Beste, was eine Tonträgerproduktion bei Werken wie dieser Vespermusik überhaupt zu leisten vermag.
Rasmus van Rijn, Klassik Heute, 31.12.2012
Ö1, CD des Tages, 6 December 2012
This performance, by 'probably one of the finest choirs in the world today' ... and its modern and refined sound, ensure for this disc a place amongst tht most satisfying available.
William Hedley, IRR, 12/2012
One of the world's finest choral ensembles singing one of the 20th century's choral masterpieces; that is all you need to know.
Richard Morrison, The Times, 17.11.2012
This new release of Rachmaninov's All-Night Vigil follows several earlier releases featuring the acclaimed Latvian Radio Choir under its Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sigvards Kļava.
Inspired by the words, music and atmosphere of Russian Orthodox worship, Rachmaninov created with his Liturgy of St John Chrysostom (ODE 1151-5) and his All-Night Vigil two supreme examples of choral writing but also music of uplifting spiritual strength.
As instruments are being proscribed by Church law, the All-Night Vigil is composed for unaccompanied voices but Rachmaninov created a work of such richness that could be described as "choral orchestration". Dividing the chorus often up into eight parts and requiring a wide vocal range of the singers, Rachmaninov was asked: "Where on earth are we going to find such basses? They are as rare as asparagus at Christmas." But Rachmaninov knew well that, in Russian choirs, asparagus is available all year round.
The Latvian Radio Choir is regarded as one of the top professional chamber choirs in Europe. The repertoire extends from the Renaissance to the present day, and its main focus is on exploring the capabilities of the human 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. Apart of the standard repertoire he has conducted most premières of new choral works by Latvian composers.