Composer of the Week: Rachmaninov: The All-Night Vigil

Donald Macleod traces Rachmaninov's productive collaboration with the composer Alexander Kastalsky, who supported and advised Rachmaninov through the writing of his most celebrated sacred choral work - the All-Night Vigil. Despite a cool response from the church authorities to this work, Rachmaninov's Vespers soon entered the repertoire of Russian choirs. Not long after, Rachmaninov suffered a spate of poor health and doctors prescribed a period of recuperation at the mineral baths in the Caucasus. Vocalise, Op 34 No 14. Aida Garifullina (soprano), ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra of Vienna, Cornelius Meister (conductor). All-night Vigil Op 37 (excerpt). Latvian Radio Choir, Sigvards K?ava (conductor) To Her, Op 38 No 2; Daisies, Op 38 No 3; A-u!, Op 38 No 6. Louise Alder (soprano), Joseph Middleton (piano). Piano Concerto No 1 in F sharp minor, Op 1 (Allegro vivace). Leif Ove Andsnes (piano), Berlin Philharmonic, Antonio Pappano (conductor)