Artistic Director and Chief Conductor - Vladimir KONTAREV
Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil is a monumental choral symphony written for a cappella choir. This work is rightfully recognized as the greatest work of Russian sacred music of the 20th century. It is included in the golden fund of the world cultural heritage and, despite belonging and strict adherence to the Orthodox traditions of worship, it is known, loved and revered all over the world.
The sounding of Vespers on June 22 - the nationwide Day of Remembrance and Mourning - is deeply symbolic: permeated with the harsh intonations of the old Znamenny chant, this work was born as a prayer for the fate of Russia during the First World War, in an era of terrible upheavals. For more than 100 years, this music has amazed listeners with its spiritual strength and ethical power, while it “lives, breathes like a deeply modern work” (A. Kandinsky).
