Search for
Search for
Search forRussian vigil at cathedral
Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 17:56
East Cornwall Bach Choir and Sherborne Chamber Choir have been brought together by music director Paul Ellis for this setting of the All Night Vigil, perhaps the best known and most accessible work in the Russian Orthodox tradition.
The East Cornwall Bach Choir is a community choir of amateur singers, about 40 strong, based in Liskeard, Cornwall.
It specialises in baroque choral works and performs in local churches, giving about six concerts a year.
Sherborne Chamber Choir is an auditioned group of about 40 singers from Sherborne and the surrounding region.
The choir was formed 25 years ago and has been conducted for much of that time by its current musical director, Paul Ellis.
The choir undertakes regular trips abroad and over the last few years has sung in Paris, Siena and Bruges.
Sergei Rachmaninov composed All Night Vigil in Moscow at the outbreak of the First World War.
The music evokes the sounds and emotions of the time, bringing together orthodox chant, sumptuous harmonies, rich alto and deep bass lines, and ranging from slow, meditative chant-like movements to livelier, folk-like themes.
Organist David Bednall will complete the programme with organ improvisations.
The Vespers is at 7pm on Saturday.
Tickets are £5 to £15, students under 18 free, are available from the Dorset Music House on 01935 816332, Wells Cathedral Shop on 01749 672773 or via the website www.ecbc.co.uk.
Comment on this story