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New Rachmaninov All-Night Vigil Vespers

Despite my normal reluctance to make unsolicited recommendations, I'm compelled by this rendition of Vespers. It's performed by the Estonian Philharmonia Chamber Choir directed by Paul Hiller. Harmonia Mundi. This group is to choirs what a chamber orchestra is to a full symphony orchestra. It has only 30 members. This reminds me so much of Herreweghe's Faure Requiem in its simplicity, serenity, intimacy, and great beauty. I'm swept away! I can't recommend it more highly to anyone who likes Russian Liturgical music or Rachmaninov's Vespers, or for that matter anyone who loves a capella choir.
newbee
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drubin
3,265 posts
 
Have you heard the USSR Ministry of Culture disc of the Vespers?
newbee OP
4,751 posts
 
Drubin, I have not. I have several others but not that one. For me the big difference between the more traditional version (that I have) and this last one, is 'scale'. These are not huge forces at work. Have you by chance heard the St Petersburg Capalla directed by Chernuchenko?
aceto
273 posts
 
It is a real problem when you mix languages like that; there is no way to get two grammar systems to grind perfectly. You don't want to get in the position of the French academy that cripples the evolution of language by assimilation. The Japanese are currently even more expansive than the English speakers. So you were actually fine just as you had it. I am just perverse that way. In fact I am trying to think of some stupid way of joking about the vespers and the ministry of culture. Something like of course I never heard it because the athiest ministry made them vesper it. Gha-gha-gha... But you really did not need the last comma, the one after 'intimacy'. See I cannot help it!
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