专辑简介

The All-Night Vigil (or “Vespers,” as it is often called) is one of Rachmaninoff’s greatest works, a choral masterpiece that taps deep into the Russian soul. The piece is based on texts from the Russian Orthodox Church, but the mysterious, haunting work inspires chills regardless of religious association—evoking the glowing candlelight and frigid nights of its origin. Two GRAMMY-winning ensembles—the Phoenix Chorale (recipients of our Best Classical Album in 2012) and Kansas City Chorale—join up for a performance of warmth and flexibility under the baton of Charles Bruffy. The recording may not have the Earth-rumbling bass voices of some Russian and Baltic choirs, but the execution is balanced, refined, and gorgeously phrased. It’s a powerful musical experience, and superbly recorded too.