Rachmaninov Vespers

The Lea Singers will perform Rachmaninov’s haunting All-Night Vigil in the beautiful surroundings of St. Albans Abbey.

The jewel in the crown of Russian Orthodox sacred choral music, Rachmaninov’s Vespers stand as one of the greatest works ever written for unaccompanied voices. Rachmaninov uses Greek and Kiev plainsong chant over rich harmonies, all underpinned by the distinctive ‘basso profundo’ Russian sound. Punctuating the movements will be readings from the Psalms, chosen by conductor Quintin Beer.

The composer loved the work so much that he requested the hauntingly beautiful Nunc Dimittis be sung at his own funeral.