Our upcoming concert
Sergei Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil, Op. 37, composed in 1915, is one of the greatest achievements of Russian sacred choral music. Written for unaccompanied choir, the work sets texts from the Russian Orthodox All-Night Vigil service, combining ancient chant traditions with Rachmaninov’s rich harmonies and deeply expressive writing.
The piece consists of fifteen movements drawn from the services of Vespers, Matins, and the First Hour. Rachmaninov incorporates traditional chants—including Znamenny and Greek chant—sometimes quoting them directly and sometimes composing new melodies in an ancient style. The music ranges from serene, meditative passages to powerful climaxes, and is especially famous for its extraordinarily deep bass writing.
Although liturgical in origin, the All-Night Vigil is now most often performed in concert. The work is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Rachmaninov’s choral writing and one of the masterpieces of the a cappella choral repertoire, admired for its spiritual depth, lush harmonies, and atmospheric beauty.
Saturday 13th June 2026. 7.30pm Church of The Sacred Heart, Edinburgh, EH3 9DJ. Tickets for our Edinburgh concert can be purchased HERE
Sunday 21st June 2026 4.00pm St Michael’s Parish Church, Linlithgow, EH49 7AL. Tickets for our Linlithgow concert can be purchase HERE
