Sergei Rachmaninoff: Vespers (All-Night Vigil), Op. 37

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Vespers (All-Night Vigil), Op. 37

Regular price £12.99
Total playing time [58:16]

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Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys, Fifth Avenue, New York
John Scott (conductor)

Resonus Classics is pleased to present the first in a series of six recordings from the internationally renowned Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys and their late and celebrated director John Scott.

Made over the course of Scott’s tenure with the choir, and released commercially for the first time, the series begins with an inspiring and striking reading of Rachmaninoff’s Vespers (All-Night Vigil), Op. 37.

Complete with soloists Ory Brown (mezzo soprano) and David Vanderwal (tenor), Scott makes full use of the impressive resources of this much-lauded New York choir to transport the listener right to the very heart of this atmospheric and deeply powerful music.

Album Booklet (PDF)

Tracklist

1. Priidite poklonimsya
Come, let us worship

2. Blagoslovi, dushe moya
Praise the Lord, O my soul

3. Blazhen muzh
Blessed is the man

4. Svete tikhii
Hail, gladdening light

5. Nyne otpushchaeshi
Lord, now lettest thy servant depart

6. Bogoroditse Devo, raduisya
Rejoice, O virgin mother of God

7. Slava v vyshnikh Bogu
Glory be to God on high

8. Khvalite imya Gospodne
O praise the name of the Lord

9. Blagosloven esi, gospodi
Blessed art Thou, O Lord

10. Voskresenie Khristovo videvshe
The Resurrection of Christ

11. Velichit dusha moya Gospoda
My soul doth magnify the Lord

12. Slava v vyshnikh Bogu
Glory be to God on high

13. Dnes spaseniye miru byst
Today is salvation come unto the world

14. Voskres iz groba
Thou didst rise from the tomb

15. Vzbrannoy voyevode
To Thee, our leader in battle

'Scott knew the capabilities of his singers [...] The recording, made in Saint Thomas’s in 2008, is as clear as a bell, every detail audible, and the detailed notes are by Scott himself. It is a magnificent rendition, showing just how this masterpiece has been convincingly absorbed into the wider choral tradition, and I recommend it very highly indeed.'

- Gramophone (Editor's Choice)

'Scott knew the capabilities of his singers [...] The recording, made in Saint Thomas’s in 2008, is as clear as a bell, every detail audible, and the detailed notes are by Scott himself. It is a magnificent rendition, showing just how this masterpiece has been convincingly absorbed into the wider choral tradition, and I recommend it very highly indeed.'
Gramophone (Editor's Choice)

'[...] an intensely dramatic reading [...] Scott and his magnificent choir capture the fervent writing in all its rich variety, with the basses plunging to the depth of their register in true Orthodox style. Recommended.'
The Observer (5 stars)

'[Scott] and his New York forces achieve some memorable results, not least the clarity of their sound. It is a fine reading that can be highly recommended.'
Choir & Organ (5 stars)

'This is a revelatory performance from an unlikely source, the music sounding simultaneously archaic and thrillingly modern. [...] The late John Scott’s fearless boy trebles are beyond reproach, scything through the textures and giving Rachmaninoff’s squelchier chords an irresistible clarity.'
The Arts Desk

'[...] a highly recommendable release recorded in the atmospheric backdrop of a vast church'
The Yorkshire Post

'This recording presents a very assured performance of the music of the Russian Orthodox all night vigil from this bastion of the Anglican choral tradition in the US! It is an excellent example of how the music of worship can cross cultural barriers and have universal appeal.'
Lark Reviews

'Clearly Scott knew his choir and was able to take them to their limits. That he did so with a complement of eleven-year-olds (and younger) on the top line is an achievement, but that he got the trebles to sing in such a polished and sophisticated manner is a supreme achievement.'
Planet Hugill

Credits
© 2016 Resonus Limited
Ⓟ 2016 Saint Thomas Church under exclusive licence to Resonus Limited
Catalogue No. RES10169
Producer: Malcolm Bruno
Engineer: John C. Baker
Editor: Adrian Hunter
Re-mastering engineer: Adam Binks
EAN: 5060262790731
Cover image: Candles by Dmitry Boyarin