Rachmaninov’s “Rejoice, O Virgin”: Robert Shaw Festival Singers, Tenebrae

Rejoice, O Virgin (Ave Maria) forms the sixth movement of Sergei Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil, Op. 37 (also known as the “Vespers”).

Scored for a cappella chorus, the All-Night Vigil was composed over the course of two weeks in January and February of 1915. It has been called “the greatest musical achievement of the Russian Orthodox Church.” The monumental liturgical work, completed during the First World War, represents the culmination of a sacred musical tradition which included music of Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky, and which came to an abrupt end with the Communist revolution of 1917.

In an upcoming post, we will explore the All-Night Vigil in its entirety. For now, here are two recordings of Rejoice, O Virgin. First, we will hear Robert Shaw’s 1990 recording with the Robert Shaw Festival Singers:

This equally beautiful and more intimate version features the London-based ensemble, Tenebrae:

Recordings

• Rachmaninov: All-Night Vigil, Op. 37, Robert Shaw, Robert Shaw Festival Singers Amazon
• Rachmaninov: All-Night Vigil, Op. 37, Nigel Short, Tenebrae Amazon

Featured Image: candles in an Orthodox Church, photograph by Ivan Murauyou