Rachmaninoff concert planned by Fulham Camerata
Fulham Camerata will perform a “captivating” performance of Vespers by Sergei Rachmaninoff, also known as the All-Night Vigil Op. 37, during its upcoming spring concert. The 45-strong choral group will perform the Russian composer’s 1915 masterpiece on Saturday 21 March at 6.30pm at All Saints Church in Fulham.
All-Night Vigil, “which is known misleadingly in English as his Vespers, consists of 15 movements designed for the Orthodox service,” explains Fulham Camerata’s Geraldine Cooper. “It was intended for a mixed choir requiring a wide range of vocal textures, including exceptionally deep bass parts. When the concert piece was premiered in March 1915 by the Moscow Synodal Choir, it was an immediate success. Rachmaninoff intended it as a deeply personal and patriotic tribute, recalling the magnificent melodies he remembered from childhood.”
Its success was short lived after the Russian revolution in 1917 when the Orthodox traditions were supressed. Rachmaninoff and his family would leave Russia. “It was a sad ending for such beautiful, haunting music,” added Geraldine.
A recording of the piece made in 1965 and All-Night Vigil has since been performed worldwide, from the UK, Europe, and United States, to numerous choirs in Russia.
Tickets to the performance at All Saints Fulham, in Bishops Park, are priced at £20 (£15 under 25s and students) with early bird tickets (£15/£10) available until 21st February.
Find out more by visiting the Fulham Camerata website and for more updates on Hammersmith & Fulham, visit EyeOnLondon Hammersmith & Fulham.
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