Vespers
by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Erato 2292-45269-2

Maureen Forrester, soprano
Gene Tucker, tenor
Mstislav Rostropovich, conductor

Rachmaninoff's Vespers OP.37, recorded on the Erato label under the direction of Mstislav Rostropovich in 1987, features contralto Maureen Forrester and tenor Gene Tucker in addition to The Choral Arts Society of Washington. At its debut in 1915, the trend was to rid church music of the Western influence that had been dominant for more than a century. The Orthodox Church wanted to return to its national roots of chanting. Through the rediscovery of traditional melodies and a new style of harmonization in imitation of folk-song, Rachmaninoff's Vespers helped revitalize Orthodox chant. The result is literally divine.

Listen to a selection from the recording (coming soon)
(download the free Quicktime player)