The opening concert of our 18th season features one of the choral repertoire’s most revered compositions. Sergei Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil is celebrated as a pinnacle of the choral tradition, unmatched in its spiritual and musical depth.
Te Deum will perform the Vigil in English translation, a version Rachmaninoff himself approved during his lifetime, marking the 50th anniversary of the only English-language recording.
Concert Information:
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Village Presbyterian Church (map)
Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 7:00 pm
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (map)
Here are some FAQs about this master work.
What is the All-Night Vigil?
Sometimes called Vespers, the All-Night Vigil is a full Russian Orthodox service that combines three canonical hours: Vespers (evening prayer), Matins (morning prayer), and the First Hour (sunrise prayer). While the complete religious service lasts all night, Rachmaninoff’s musical setting is a powerful 75-minute performance of unaccompanied singing.
When was this music composed?
Composed in just two weeks in 1915, this piece is an incredible showcase of choral music. As is traditional for Russian Orthodox services, it’s performed a cappella—without any instruments.
Rachmaninoff was a master of harmony, and this work is a perfect example. While written for a four-part choir, it expands into five, six, or even eight parts at different moments. The seventh movement even divides the choir into a breathtaking eleven parts!
The Vigil also features beautiful solos for alto and tenor, with the entire work culminating in a deep, resonant sound thanks to the inclusion of a basso profundo.
First performed in Moscow in March 1915, the Vigil was an instant success. The premiere, held as a benefit for war relief, was met with such critical acclaim and packed audiences that it was performed five more times in the following month.
Why is Te Deum performing this work in English?
While Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil was originally composed in Old Church Slavonic to honor Russian Orthodox traditions, it is increasingly performed in English.
Singing the work in English allows American audiences to feel a more immediate and emotional connection to the piece’s fervent prayers and spiritual message. This accessibility helps a wider audience understand and connect with the profound spiritual vision Rachmaninoff set to music, deepening the overall emotional impact of the performance. By presenting the Vigil in English, we honor its legacy while providing a unique and resonant cultural experience for our listeners.
