Rachmaninoff: Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, Op. 31

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Rachmaninov's Liturgy is less well known than his Vigil ('Vespers'), but has nevertheless gained in popularity with western choirs as a concert item in recent years, though the double-choir setting... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Release Date: 30th Oct 2006
Catalogue No: GCD922203
Label: Glossa
Length: 65 minutes

Gramophone Magazine

January 2007

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Rachmaninoff: Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, Op. 31

Work length1:05:08

$20.00

$26.00

Flemish Radio Choir
Kaspars Putnins

The Great Litany

Track length0:46

$1.00

$1.30

Bless the Lord, O my soul

Track length4:03

$1.00

$1.30

Glory be to the Father

Track length3:04

$1.00

$1.30

In Thy Kingdom

Track length5:40

$1.00

$1.30

Come, let us Worship

Track length1:38

$1.00

$1.30

O, Lord

Track length2:42

$1.00

$1.30

The Augmented and Subsequent Litanies

Track length5:35

$1.00

$1.30

The Cherubic Hymn

Track length5:09

$1.00

$1.30

The Litany of Supplication

Track length0:50

$1.00

$1.30

The Creed

Track length7:27

$2.00

$2.60

A Mercy of Peace

Track length6:21

$1.00

$1.30

To Thee We Sing

Track length2:51

$1.00

$1.30

It is Truly Meet

Track length2:57

$1.00

$1.30

The Lord's Prayer

Track length5:38

$1.00

$1.30

The Communion Hymn, "Praise the Lord of the Heavens"

Track length2:39

$1.00

$1.30

Blessed is He - We Have Seen the True Light

Track length1:24

$1.00

$1.30

May our Mouths be Filled

Track length4:06

$1.00

$1.30

Blessed be the Name of the Lord

Track length0:47

$1.00

$1.30

Glory to the Father

Track length1:31

$1.00

$1.30

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Favourites, Sergei Rachmaninov

David picks out some recordings of the works of Rachmaninov, perhaps the greatest composer for the piano of the Twentieth Century.

Recorded at Jezuïetenkerk, Heverlee, Belgium, in March 2006

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2010

Rachmaninov's Liturgy is less well known than his Vigil ('Vespers'), but has nevertheless gained in popularity with western choirs as a concert item in recent years, though the double-choir setting of the Lord's Prayer has always enjoyed a certain renown, often being sung in an English paraphrase. It is far more than a mere sketch for the more famous work, too, though the links are clear – anyone hearing the opening psalm, 'Blagoslovi, dushe moya', for the first time will immediately make the connection.
The Flemish Radio Choir's rendition is very fine indeed, reverent, well paced and at the same time electrically atmospheric (and also including sufficient of the celebrant's petitions that it comes across neither as an artificial celebration nor a concert suite) and the magnificent SACD sound is just what such a riveting performance merits. The only criticism is of their very light 'l' sound, which truly gives them away as non-Russians.
There is strong competition but, curiously, none is Russian; indeed, the King's College recording is as unrepentantly and beautifully English as you could wish for. In an ideal world one would have to have all of them, and if you have room on your shelves for one more, do add this new recording to your collection. There is one aspect in which the other three score, however – they include full texts and translations, while for the new disc they must be downloaded.

The earlier of Rachmaninov's two large-scale choral works, the Liturgy is sometimes regarded as just a trial-run for the mighty Vespers. True, the musical language is similar, but it is a compelling work in its own right. This performance by the Flemish Radio Choir, conducted by Kaspars Putninsh, is perhaps not quite as Slavic in its diction as one might desire; but it is nevertheless engaging.

Rachmaninoff: Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, Op. 31

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